![\"Students](\"http:\/\/sites.coloradocollege.edu\/blockfeatures\/files\/2015\/12\/IMG_5407.jpg\")
<\/a><\/a><\/a>The next lab involved pairing different foods based on the structure of predominate flavor molecules. After studying the structures of the flavor molecules of selected products and identifying key functional groups, students filled out a food-pairing sheet and began to try different combinations. Many were happily surprised when they found foods with structurally similar flavor molecules paired well together. Some of the students\u2019 favorite unusual combinations were thyme and strawberry, cilantro and clementine, and chili and chocolate.<\/p>\n After selectively pairing foods, students were offered the option of trying a miracle berry. These natural products suppress the proton detectors on taste buds, inhibiting one\u2019s ability to taste sour foods, which are acidic (have high proton concentration), and instead replace the sour taste with sweet.<\/p>\n Once the miracle berries had dissolved, students set out trying different sour foods including lemon, clementine, and even vinegar! Although the vinegar tasted strangely sweet, it was still vinegar and didn\u2019t become a class favorite. Lemon, however, was found to taste like delicious lemonade and a whole bag of lemons, previously untouched during the food pairing, quickly disappeared. In all, this week has been great fun and I hope it will continue into third and fourth week! Stay tuned and be prepared for more pictures and perhaps even a video or two of the exciting activities the Orgo I students will be up to this block!<\/p>\n The organic chemistry I students have been hard at work this block learning the foundations of organic structures and reactions. With lecture in the morning and lab most afternoons, the class keeps up an intimidating reputation. This blog, however, will hopefully illustrate that organic chemistry can also be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. I may … <\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>