Cook's Illustrated

THE SCIENCE OF PLEASURE

or a few years now, my colleague Lan Lam and I have guest lectured at a Stanford University undergraduate science course. Our presentation started out as a basic lesson on the chemistry of the five tastes but has evolved into a class on how to get the most pleasure

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from Cook's Illustrated

Cook's Illustrated4 min read
No-Commitment Refrigerator Preserves
Refrigerator jams and jellies are gateway preserves: quick, easy, attractive ways to bottle up peak-season produce at its best. The formulas are basic (fruit, sugar, lemon juice); the batches are typically small, so there’s no need to invest in bushe
Cook's Illustrated7 min read
Ingredient Notes
For all its extraordinary umami, dashi (page 6) requires only water and two ingredients: kombu, or dried kelp, and katsuobushi, also known as bonito flakes. Here are a few tips for purchasing and storing these products so you can make this type of h
Cook's Illustrated3 min read
Just Add Water
When I do live cooking demonstrations, I like to bring a volunteer on stage to carry out a particular experiment. I present the person with two small pots of hot liquid, one containing vegetable oil and the other water. Both liquids are being held at

Related Books & Audiobooks