French Fries, Donuts, Fried Chicken, Potato Chips, Churros... All of those things have one thing in common: They're deep fried - and they're delicious.
Nowadays, it seems like almost everything is being deep-fried: Oreos, Chocolate Bars... even Ice Cream!
But why is it that we enjoy fried foods (and greasy foods in general) so much?
We know that it's unhealthy and full of calories, but still we can't deny that we love the flavour of deep-fried foods.
There's actually a lot of science involved with the process of deep-frying food and what it does to your brain!
When you deep-fry something, you usually use oil that is twice as hot as the boiling point of water.
The temperature is right when you drop the food in, and it starts to bubble.
But what's bubbling there is not actually the oil, but moisture on the surface of the food that's being boiled.
So this means that moisture the food is losing moisture and dehydrates, which creates the crispy outer layer that we love so much.
At the same time, the escaping molecules of the water actually leave a gap, which lets oil molecules enter the food.
This of course makes the food item higher in calories - so more appetizing and rewarding to our brain!
This process gets even more interesting when you add a batter.
Then, there's a layer of batter between the actual food and the oil, which means that only the batter gets dehydrated while the inside can stay moist.
That's why we add batter to things like fried chicken, Tempura dishes or Fish & Chips .
So in general, greasy, deep fried food is delicious to us because of the high energy and calorie level - but also, because it usually stimulates several different senses at once.
Deep frying gives food a crispy texture, that also sounds great when biting into it.
Studies have shown that we don't rate potato chips as delicious or fresh if we can't hear the sound that chewing them makes.
Foods that "melt in your mouth" like certain chocolate or cheetos are tricking our brain in a special way:
Since they melt away quicker than we finish chewing, our brain actually thinks that we are not taking in that many calories.
This results in over-eating!
This Effect is called Vanishing Caloric Density.
Fat also enhances flavor in general -
that's the reason why only a thin layer of butter on your toast already makes a big difference to the taste experience.
Also, we can't ignore the fact that nowadays a lot of processed and junk food have been created with a lot of scientific background.
So these foods already contain the perfect amount of fat an salty- or sweetness that stimulates our brain's reward system.
Basically, they are specifically designed for you to crave them!
Sources: 1, 2, All GIFs from Giphy.com
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© Sirwinchester
So bad for me, but it looks soo good!!
source
looking at all these delicious GIFs made me hungry again !!
haha, sorry!
I’ve always asked myself WHY unhealthy foods just taste sooo much better than healthy stuff.. I guess that’s the answer.. Oh how I wish it’d be the other way around
that would be awesome if it was the other way around!
@sirwinchester, fried food is best. My favorite food in the world is Fried Chicken. Thank you for posting this delicious post.
Fried food in general is just so good!
Some fried foods are Delicious as long as they have been fried properly or they end up greasy
yes you're right, it has to be done correctly
Sadly, it’s always the food choice with MORE fat that tastes BETTER!
unfortunately yes!
I think everyone has dreamed of having a day where you can eat ANYTHING you want, without the calories :D
hahaha, yes definitely!
Deep fried stuff is my guilty pleasure .. it’s just so much better than healthy food, I can’t help it!
it's always the more delicious, but more unhealthy choice!
Deep fried Oreos.. that’s legit something to put on my bucket list
you have to try it!
Now I really want some french fries! Or even better, Churros… yummy
or ... some deep fried oreos?
Thanks for sharing, I’ve been wondering about the same question - although I wish the answer wasn’t true!
I think everyone's asked themselves why it has to be this way!
This post is incomplete without mention of the Maillard reaction. :P
you're right, that's an interesting part of food chemistry as well!
I miss these foods! I have fat malabsorption so I'm unable to process fats or proteins. It makes my life a living hell. Your post has made my hungry :) Interesting about the vanishing effect. Great post thank you!
oh what a pity! Can you enjoy sugar substitutes though?!
I can have raw honey and minimal sugar, but fats and protein make me very sick. Tried everything, but I'll have to continue living on air!
Anything bad for you is good.. lol
bad for our weight, but good for our tastebuds :D
KFC still making bucks for this reason.
exactly!
Science !!! Great GIFS...Hope you don't mind me sharing this story about FRIES !
https://steemit.com/food/@bkkshadow/7-steps-to-making-perfect-fries
Thanks for my 4th place transfer for the Steemit Culinary Challenge!