Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I need a way to make plain jello taste one way, and smell another. I also need to make it a completely different color than the smell or taste, but i think i can do that with food coloring. Thanks

Hmm. I think you may end up having to try several different things to see if they work. First, I would try putting either mint extract or citrus extract (or flavoring, or whatever) on the plate where you put the jello (but not on the jello itself). Both citrus and mint smell very strongly and distinctly. Anyway, then I would flavor the jello with a more subtle flavoring like almond or vanilla (these extracts would actually go in the jello).

It's difficult, though, because our senses of taste and smell are so interconnected--it may be that whoever is going to eat the jello will get a bite up to their nose and realize that it doesn't smell like mint/citrus at all. Also, it will be nearly impossible to do the reverse manipulation--make the jello taste like mint/citrus but smell like something else.

You can also try presenting your subjects with smell and taste separately, as opposed to at the same time, in the same jello cube. For example, you could have your subjects smell something like a cotton ball that has citrus or mint extract on it, then have them taste jello that is flavored with something different. This might make it easier for you to make the jello, and it will give you more flexibility in the smell/ taste combinations you can use.

Sonia