Flying can change body mechanics due to dehydration, exhaustion, and even inner-ear swelling. With that being said, we can assume that it also changes our sense of taste. Professor Charles Spence, the head of the Crossmodal Research Laboratory at Oxford University, shares interesting findings on how the noise from the airplane can actually affect the taste of foods and drinks while being in the air.

According to Spence’s discovery, the reason might be the dry cabin air, the change in air pressure, and the constant hum of the engine. He explains, “The 80-85 DB of the engine noise while flying negatively impacts our ability to taste sweet and salty – hence why airline meals need so much more salt and sugar.”

So, how can you make your airplane food taste better? The professor suggests opting for noise-canceling headphones because they “cancel the sound of the engines.” Choose a song you enjoy since this will help you enjoy your meal better. It is also scientifically proven that listening to music while eating makes everything taste better. One more secret is trying “high-pitched sounds to bring out the sweetness and lower the pitch of the music to bring out those bitter notes.” However, it is always best to order your favorite meal.

Brunch with friends is a pleasant event, and the first days of spring are ideal for such gatherings. So, during the ideal time to invite friends over for a leisurely weekend meal while spending time together, anyone can make a special at-home brunch using fresh produce or baked goods. Here are several options to try.

At-Home Brunches Can Be Fun

Creating a DIY yogurt parfait station is a great way to go into brunch. A good way to do it is to put various yogurt flavors, like Greek yogurt varieties in large bowls. Afterward, fill smaller bowls with different mixes, including berries like blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, granola, chocolate chips, and coconut flakes. Honey and jam can also be used to add more sweetness. Those can be placed in glass jars and served with small spoons.

Designing a treat board that is worthy of Instagram can be done by following some simple tips. Enthusiasts should select a large cutting board or decorative platter and arrange the biggest items first. There are numerous breakfast sweets and treats available in stores that are both delicious and visually appealing and can be used for that purpose, including croissants. Next, smaller treats such as maple French toast bagel slices, blueberry mini muffins, and mini cream puffs can be added. Finally, the board can be enhanced by adding a sprinkle of colorful berries like raspberries and strawberries, and perhaps even some powdered sugar. While such elaborately styled brunch presentations can be impressive, such a dessert board is actually just as eye-catching and requires less effort.

Sweet and Savory Food Is Great

Making waffles be really interesting as it allows enthusiasts to discover the numerous possibilities of a waffle iron. Brunch provides the perfect opportunity to showcase the versatility of this often-overlooked kitchen appliance. An assortment of both sweet and savory waffle additions can be used, including chocolate chips and berries for sweet options and cheddar shredded cheese for savory ones. The waffles can be displayed on a platter, just like at a restaurant buffet. Guests can then use their creativity to concoct the most innovative waffle creation.

Brunch can be turned into a blending adventure with mix-and-match smoothies. To create an impressive smoothie station, enthusiasts should pour a variety of juices and milk, including regular and dairy-free options, into glass pitchers and arrange them on a long table. Then, the mix-ins should be separated by categories, such as nut and seed butter, frozen fruits like banana, pineapple, and strawberries, and sweeteners like maple syrup and wildflower honey. Finally, there should be plenty of ice available. The blenders should be positioned at the end of the table for the guests to create their custom smoothie blends. Mason jars and colorful paper straws should be there for a truly fun, fruity beverage presentation.