Brought to you by Science Foundation Ireland.
What has science ever done for us?
Sure, there’s all that medicine, engineering and technology. But apart from that, what has it ever done for us?
Well, what if it could improve the way you enjoy your favourite tipple? If you’re fond of a glass of whiskey, science has finally provided an answer to the burning question of our time. Should you drink it straight, on the rocks or with a drop of water?
You probably remember seeing ol’ fellas at a bar mixing their whiskey with a drop of water. Well, it turns out they were on to something.
A scientific study has found that whiskey’s distinctive taste is heavily linked to a molecule called guaiacol. The study investigated how dilution affected guaiacol, which ultimately affects the taste.
Apparently, adding a drop of water to a whiskey causes the guaiacol molecules to float to the surface which enhances the smell and taste. This effect is even more pronounced in Scottish whisky, which contains even higher concentrations of guaiacol molecules. So there you have it.
Although, realistically, how you drink whiskey will ultimately come down to personal taste. If you want to drown your whiskey in coke, that’s your prerogative. Even if your whiskey snob friends threaten to disown you.
It’s easy to see science as something that happens in distant labs but this study highlights that science is all around us in our daily lives. For instance, footballers demonstrate Newton’s second law of motion every time they kick a ball. Just don’t ask them to explain it.
Want to find out more about science’s everyday applications? Science Week 2017 takes place from 12-19 November and there are events taking place throughout the country.
So you can find out about the Science of Distillation with Teeling Whiskey, if this article has whetted your appetite. If whiskey isn’t your drink, there are also talks on the Science of Beer and the Science of Gin taking place. This year’s Science Week events also include a look at superhero science, a science talk with Dara O’Briain, a discussion on peak sports performance and much more.
For Science Week 2017, Science Foundation Ireland is asking everyone to get involved and to #StopAndAsk questions about the world around them. They’ll be answering questions asked with the hashtag throughout the week.
If there’s something you’ve always wanted to know, whether it’s why the sky is blue, if there’s a science to the perfect penalty kick in football or why some smarties taste different, #StopAndAsk to find out more!
Brought to you by Science Foundation Ireland.
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