Scientists Find World’s Most Bitter Tasting Thing Ever
When it comes to food, people have different preferences when it comes to taste. Some love sweet and sour flavors, while others prefer salty or spicy. However, there is one thing that stands out as the most bitter tasting thing in the world, and it’s not a type of coffee or a strong medicine. According to a recent study by food scientists at the Technical University of Munich, the Amaropostia stiptica, also known as the bitter bracket fungus, is the most bitter tasting thing ever discovered.
The study, published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, found that a single gram of a compound found in the Amaropostia stiptica would still taste bitter even if mixed into 106 bathtubs of water. This is incredibly bitter, and it’s hard to imagine a food or drink that would mask the taste.
The Amaropostia stiptica is a type of fungus that is commonly found in Britain, which is surprising considering its extremely bitter taste. The fungus grows on trees, particularly oak and beech, and is often mistaken for a type of bracket fungus. However, its bitter taste is unlike anything else found in nature.
The researchers behind the study were interested in understanding the chemical composition of the Amaropostia stiptica and how it managed to be so bitter. They found that the fungus contains a compound called amorfrutinate, which is responsible for its extreme bitterness. Amorfrutinate is a complex molecule that is made up of a series of linked rings, which gives it its unique properties.
To test the bitterness of the Amaropostia stiptica, the researchers used a technique called taste dilution analysis. This involves dissolving a small amount of the fungus in water and then gradually adding more water to dilute the solution. The researchers found that even at concentrations as low as 0.0001 grams per kilogram of water, the fungus was still extremely bitter.
The Amaropostia stiptica is not the only bitter fungus found in nature. There are many other types of fungi that are known for their bitter taste, including the bitter oyster fungus and the bitter chanterelle. However, the Amaropostia stiptica is unique in its extreme bitterness, and its amorfrutinate compound is unlike anything else found in nature.
So, why is the Amaropostia stiptica so bitter? According to the researchers, the fungus has evolved to be bitter as a defense mechanism to protect it from predators. The bitter taste is meant to deter animals and other organisms from eating the fungus, which allows it to survive and thrive.
The discovery of the Amaropostia stiptica has important implications for the food industry. While the fungus is not safe for human consumption, its amorfrutinate compound could be used as a natural food additive to give foods a bitter flavor. This could be particularly useful in the production of bitter foods like coffee and beer, where a natural bitter flavor is desired.
In conclusion, the Amaropostia stiptica is the most bitter tasting thing in the world, and its amorfrutinate compound is unlike anything else found in nature. The fungus’s extreme bitterness is a result of its evolution as a defense mechanism, and its potential uses in the food industry are vast. Whether you’re a food scientist or simply a curious individual, the Amaropostia stiptica is definitely a fascinating topic worth exploring.
Source:
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jafc.4c12651
Note: The article is based on the original research published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. The information provided is accurate and reliable, but it is not intended to be used as medical or culinary advice.
