Food flavor, appearance, and texture are the sensory properties that influence food acceptance, and among these, flavor is usually the decisive factor for the choice of a particular product. Food Flavors: Chemical, Sensory, and Technological Properties explores the main aspects of food flavors and provides a starting point for further study in focu

How does the nose know what it smells? How do we taste foods? What gives foods their characteristic flavours? How do the methods of food preparation and processing change the flavours of foods? Food Flavours answers these questions and much more, in a clear and understandable manner, describing the composition of flavour compounds and the contributions they make to our sensory experiences. The book begins with the chemical reactions by which chemical compounds develop in plants, and continues through the processing and preparation of foods. It then turns to our chemical sensory systems to describe the recognition and neural processing of these compounds in the nervous system, and the reactions that we have to flavours. The way that chemical qualities give foods their characteristic flavours, and the ways various methods of food preparation and preservation affect those compounds and the resulting flavours are dealt with in detail, both from a chemical and a biological aspect. Throughout, Food Flavours provides special in-depth coverage of taste/odour physiology, and it contains a unique chapter providing a learning and problem-solving technique that will prove invaluable to students in all areas of food science, as well as in biological, organic and analytical chemistry, and will be a good addition to any food technologist's bookshelf.

This book presents summaries of papers that were presented at the Pacifichem meeting in Honolulu, HI, December, 2005. Papers focus on analytical methods for flavor analysis, flavor chemistry, flavor formation, sensory evaluation, and biological activity of essential oils and flavors.

Food may be nutritious, visually appealing and easy to prepare but if it does not possess desirable flavors, it will not be consumed. Food Flavors and Chemistry: Advances of the New Millennium primarily focuses on food flavors and their use in foods. Coverage also includes other important topics in food chemistry and production such as analytical methods, packaging, storage, safety and patents. Positive flavor notes are described, including ways of enhancing them in food. Conversely, methods for eliminating and reducing undesirable flavors are also proposed. Packaging aspects of foods, with respect to controlling sensory attributes, appearance and microbiological safety are discussed in detail. There is also a section concentrating on the most recent developments in dairy flavor chemistry. This book will be an important read for all postgraduate students, academics and industrial researchers wanting to keep abreast of food flavors and their chemistry.

It has become popular to blame the American obesity epidemic and many other health-related problems on processed food. Many of these criticisms are valid for some processed-food items, but many statements are overgeneralizations that unfairly target a wide range products that contribute to our health and well-being. In addition, many of the proposed dangers allegedly posed by eating processed food are exaggerations based on highly selective views of experimental studies. We crave simple answers to our questions about food, but the science behind the proclamations of food pundits is not nearly as clear as they would have you believe. This book presents a more nuanced view of the benefits and limitations of food processing and exposes some of the tricks both Big Food and its critics use to manipulate us to adopt their point of view. Food is a source of enjoyment, a part of our cultural heritage, a vital ingredient in maintaining health, and an expression of personal choice. We need to make those choices based on credible information and not be beguiled by the sophisticated marketing tools of Big Food nor the ideological appeals and gut feelings of self-appointed food gurus who have little or no background in nutrition.

Introduction to the Chemistry of Food describes the molecular composition of food and the chemistry of its components. It provides students with an understanding of chemical and biochemical reactions that impact food quality and contribute to wellness. This innovative approach enables students in food science, nutrition and culinology to better understand the role of chemistry in food. Specifically, the text provides background in food composition, demonstrates how chemistry impacts quality, and highlights its role in creating novel foods. Each chapter contains a review section with suggested learning activities. Text and supplemental materials can be used in traditional face-to-face, distance, or blended learning formats. - Describes the major and minor components of food - Explains the functional properties contributed by proteins, carbohydrates and lipids in food - Explores the chemical and enzymatic reactions affecting food attributes (color, flavor and nutritional quality) - Describes the gut microbiome and influence of food components on its microbial population - Reviews major food systems and novel sources of food protein