Flavor Science Explored: Unlikely Collaborators to Host Expert Discussion
Unlikely Collaborators will host a Spark Salon event on October 13, delving into the science of taste, scent, and memory. Flavor chemist Melissa Conklin will explain why our perception of flavors is deeply individual.
Los Angeles, CA – Unlikely Collaborators will host a "Spark Salon" on October 13, focusing on the intricate science behind flavor, scent, and memory. Flavor chemist Melissa Conklin is set to explain why the same taste can be experienced vastly differently by individuals.
The event, titled "Taste, Scent, and Perception Box," will explore how taste is constructed not just by the tongue, but as a complex interaction involving the brain, body, sensory signals, memory, expectations, culture, context, and personal history.
Conklin, drawing on a decade of experience in flavor development, will blend chemistry, neuroscience, and storytelling. She aims to reveal how the brain transforms molecules into meaningful experiences. While taste buds detect basic tastes, much of what is perceived as flavor is shaped by aroma and personal associations, including memories, emotions, and expectations.
The event will be held in person at Unlikely Collaborators' Santa Monica headquarters and also livestreamed online. Attendance is free but requires registration. The session invites attendees to reconsider their daily act of tasting and its broader implications for how each person perceives reality.