Lecture: "What Makes Up Taste?"

Broccoli and fish casseroles often make children dislike them, while foods like candy, spaghetti, and chips become favorites. Why do some foods we adore, while others seem unpleasant? What is taste and why can it change? These questions will be answered by Evgeniya Timonova, a naturalist and the well-known host of the program «Everything Like Animals». In an exciting and educational lecture, we’ll discuss: how to make food taste better; why you should try eating with your hands; whether crunchy chips are really tastier than soft ones; and whether there is a color of taste. We’ll look at why food seems bland with a runny nose, why dogs love sweets and cats don’t, and why animals lick salt. Contrary to parents’ prohibitions, Evgeniya will also suggest playing with food by demonstrating a few funny and safe taste experiments you can do in the kitchen. We’ll find out why chili burns, how mint cools, and how Sichuan pepper works. Evgeniya believes that nutrition is the main process for all living creatures, and it is tied to tremendous pleasure. She invites you to find out where the joy of food comes from by testing it on yourself. Evgeniya Timonova is a science journalist and host, a science popularizer, and the author of the video blog «Everything Like Animals», which explores the biological foundations of human behavior.