Food: Delicious Science

Food: Delicious Science is an enlightening and informational television series that first aired in 2017. The show is an engaging exploration into the fascinating world of food, providing a unique blend of science and culinary art. Over the course of three episodes, viewers are introduced to the core scientific concepts that underlie our understanding of food and its relationship with our bodies and our world.

The series is hosted by Michael Mosley, a well-respected British journalist and television presenter known for his work in presenting BBC programs on biology and medicine, and James Wong, a Kew-trained botanist, science writer, and broadcaster. Together, these charismatic educators guide the audience through a captivating demonstration of how and why we eat what we do.

The three episodes each take on a unique central theme: Taste, Body and Mind, and Delicious. In Taste, Mosley and Wong delve into the science behind the flavours we love and loathe, and how our sense of taste has helped shape human evolution. Body and Mind explores the effects that different foods can have on our bodies and brains – from molecular changes to behavior alterations. The final episode, Delicious, investigates how cooking has transformed the chemical properties of food and made it safer and tastier to consume.

Throughout the show, the hosts travel across continents, visiting places like Peru, Japan and Italy, and even venturing to a zero-gravity lab to explore the science of taste and digestion. They also conduct various fascinating experiments, involving everything from a farmer's market to a Michelin-starred restaurant, to explain the scientific principles at work.

Food: Delicious Science does not just stop at sharing the science behind how food meets the tongue – it goes a step further by exploring the corresponding psychological and neurological reactions, like why certain foods bring pleasure and others revulsion. For example, viewers are treated to an analysis of why sugar behaves like a drug in the brain, what makes spicy foods feel hot, how the color and texture of food can influence our perception of its taste, and many other intricate food-related phenomena.

One of the show's standout achievements is its ability to take complex scientific concepts and present them in an engaging and digestible format (pun intended). Viewers come away not just with interesting trivia about food, but with a deeper, interconnected understanding of biology, chemistry, physics, history, and sociology.

In addition to its educational value, the series is also visually appealing. The production team employs a range of visual techniques to bring to life the microscopic universe within our food. Close-up shots, slow-motion sequences, and high-resolution imagery are used to reveal the rich and beautiful subatomic structures of our everyday meals. A particular highlight is the stunning edible models of food molecules that Wong constructs to illustrate scientific concepts.

Moreover, the series also touches upon important issues like how our food choices impact the environment and contribute to problems like obesity. It advocates for an informed understanding of what we put in our bodies, aiming to promote healthier and sustainable eating habits.

In essence, Food: Delicious Science is a mind-tickling journey for the curious eaters and food enthusiasts who love to know more about their plate. Science enthusiasts will also find the show riveting, as it uses everyday culinary experiences as a gateway into more complex scientific concepts.

In comparison to other programs on culinary science, Food: Delicious Science stands out for its broad scope, in-depth perspective, engaging presentation, and its successful intertwining of the cultural, historical, and scientific aspects of our food.

Summarily, this is a show that caters to those who have a deep appreciation for food, a curiosity about the world, and an appetite for knowledge. By making serious science fun, and by grounding abstract concepts in the relatable world of food, Food: Delicious Science is a treat for both the stomach and the mind. It's a show that proves science is everywhere, even in our kitchens, and helps viewers understand the world around them and the food they put in their bodies just a little bit better. If food is your passion and you've always wanted to know more about its journey from farm to fork, then this series is a must-watch.