Ancient Greek Music Can Influence How We Perceive Taste, Study Shows

A 17th-century practice of the Greek muses Clio, Thalia, and Euterpe. Credit: Eustache Le Sueur / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

A caller survey suggests that the operation of ancient Greek music tin impact however radical comprehend taste, with definite philharmonic modes triggering circumstantial spirit associations. The probe shows that philharmonic power tin signifier sensation cognition and that acquisition successful culinary arts whitethorn play a relation successful however these connections form.

The study, led by Sibel Ozilgen of Yeditepe University, examined whether listening to ancient Greek modes specified arsenic Ionian, Dorian, and Phrygian could pb radical to nexus those sounds to basal tastes similar sweet, salty, oregon bitter.

Published successful the International Journal of Gastronomy and Food Science, the probe progressive 510 assemblage students, including some culinary students and those from different world backgrounds.

Sweet, salty, oregon bitter linked by sound

Participants listened to 7 chiseled diatonic modes from the Greek tradition and were asked to take a sensation they associated with each. The results showed wide trends.

Sweeter flavors were often linked to modes similar Aeolian, Ionian, Lydian, and Mixolydian—modes historically tied to affirmative oregon agleam affectional tones.

On the different hand, bitter tastes were astir often connected to darker-sounding modes similar Locrian and Phrygian. The Dorian mode, which falls successful the mediate successful affectional tone, was mostly associated with salty tastes.

Researchers decode past Greek euphony by reconstructing its nonstop tuning and intonation. Credit: wikimedia commons / Basedakov / CC B Y 4.0

Ozilgen said the affectional effect triggered by a philharmonic mode intimately mirrored the affectional qualities often tied to its associated taste. For instance, saccharine tastes typically evoke happiness oregon comfortableness feelings, besides linked to the brighter modes.

Culinary acquisition proved to beryllium a important factor. Students with culinary grooming made much accordant and structured associations betwixt modes and tastes. Non-culinary students, successful contrast, showed much saltation successful their responses.

However, some groups agreed connected the associations for the Dorian and Phrygian modes, suggesting immoderate cosmopolitan connections betwixt dependable and sensation beryllium careless of background.

Culinary inheritance shapes perception

While past studies person explored however musical elements similar tempo oregon transportation impact nutrient perception, Ozilgen’s enactment is among the archetypal to analyse however the operation of euphony itself—through past modes—can power sensory responses.

She emphasized that these findings could pass selling strategies successful restaurants and nutrient work settings, wherever cautiously selected euphony mightiness heighten oregon usher customers’ sensation experiences.

The survey underscores the value of knowing however sound, emotion, and spirit interact successful the brain. As Ozilgen notes, tapping into this multisensory transportation could unfastened caller possibilities successful nutrient presumption and user engagement.