4 ms·
I didn't watch the video, but assuming they used a mass spectrometer, the end result will be identical to the real thing, anyone tasting otherwise is deluding t
by Suppafly 9mo ago
I didn't watch the video, but assuming they used a mass spectrometer, the end result will be identical to the real thing, anyone tasting otherwise is deluding themselves.
- tomcam 9mo agoMass spec is indeed demonstrated multiple times
- Arch-TK 9mo agoThe video explains how the gas based mass spectrometers he had (indirect) access to don't normally pick up nonvolatile compounds like tannins. It was a big breakthrough that since he didn't have cocoa leaf extract, and he basically nailed everything else, he couldn't really understand what he was missing until he realised the extract would likely contain tannins. So there may be other nonvolatile compounds which nevertheless impact the flavour profile. While a lot of flavour is in your nose, not all of it is...
- ginko 9mo agoMaybe he could have paired it with an hplc reading.
- extraduder_ire 9mo agoCoca leaf. Totally different plant. One is the source of chocolate, the other cocaine.
- Arch-TK 9mo agoYes, you're right. My mistake.
- Suppafly 9mo ago>The video explains how the gas based mass spectrometers he had (indirect) access to don't normally pick up nonvolatile compounds like tannins I'm pretty sure other types of mass spectrometers can though, correct?
- jrochkind1 9mo agoTaste buds can detect chemicals in as concentrations as low as a few parts per million, I dunno.
- hinkley 9mo agoSomeone once said the reason we had alcohol before civilization is that we carry around a chemical testing laboratory in our faces. It just so happens that everything in beer that can go wrong and hurt you (any sooner than cancer) creates a distinct aftertaste and you can learn to avoid it rather easily. The only exception of course is if you use poisonous ingredients in the first place.
- gunalx 9mo agoor instdad of ethanol have brewed methanol.
- jrochkind1 9mo agoThat's much more of a danger when distilling, just brewing with yeast it's difficult to wind up in a situation with dangerous methanol.
- ipsum2 9mo agoHe doesn't compare the mass spec of his final product to a real coke, unless I missed it.
- moron4hire 9mo agoYou missed it
- kadoban 9mo agoYou did miss it. It's quite close, but not identical. Wouldn't be surprised if different batches of coke have at least some variance anyway.
- piskov 9mo agoThis is wrong. Same with perfume knock-offs Spectrometer doesn’t tell you quantities, mixes, what have you. You can emulate 90% of the first smell but never in life you can replicate entire bouquet, aftersmell, propriety molecules, etc.
- epolanski 9mo agoSpectrography can absolutely tell you concentrations if you compare it to a test solution with a known concentration.
- hilbert42 9mo agoHave you ever seen that triangular chart comparing concentrations, impurities , etc? It's generally presented on log scales and very effectively demonstrates the often enormous number of trace-level compounds in otherwise substances deemed pure. It's the absolute pinnacle when it comes to teaching chem students about purity. No doubt you're correct but it only takes one compound in trace amounts whose odor can be detected in parts per million to throw out a seemingly identical comparison done with spectroscopy. Right, calibration is everything but sometimes that's damn hard to achieve. Also, here we're dealing with natural substances (at least some are like cola leaves). It's not hard to imagine there'd be thousands of organic molecules involved albeit most of them in minute amounts.