Tea! and the Science of Taste

Tea! and the Science of Taste.
presented by Matt Harbowy

Discover the world of Camellia Sinensis, the tea plant, and learn about the manufacture of Green, Black, Oolong, and other teas made from this versatile shrub. Learn your phenotype for bitter taste, and some of the science and genetics behind how people perceive flavor. Experience some of the different ways tea is prepared globally. Prepare a ISO3103 standard cup of tea, and learn why this exists. Experience pure umami, the sixth sense of taste. Disassemble a tea bag, and explore the differences between loose and bag tea. Taste teas from nearly every corner of the globe. As a finale, class participants will experience miraculin, the protein that (reversibly) alters your ability to taste.

Class participants will be performing a number of safe, edible experiments, but the class is designed for teens and adults. We will be using boiling water, and tasting different foods and beverages. All participants will be asked to sign a waiver, although we will seek to accommodate any participants with food allergies.

Matt Harbowy is a professional scientist, former food and tea chemist with Lipton, and a bioinformatics specialist.

Price: $35 for Meetup-only members, $25 for Lab members (if you are a Lab member please contact us to get registered and make your payment), class is limited to 18 attendees.