British Airways pairs music and menus to make airplane food taste better with Lily Allen, Paolo Nutini and Coldplay playlist
Foodies and music fans will enjoy British Airways' latest efforts to make the experience of flying a little less painful.
After its seven-hour train film to settle sleepless passengers, as well as its “happiness blanket”, comes the “Sound Bite”.
That’s the pairing of music with food menus in a way that is designed to improve the taste of your dinner at 35,000 feet.
Researchers at Oxford University have drawn upon a phenomenon known as “sonic seasoning” where listening to certain sounds changes the way you experience the food you’re eating or wine you’re drinking.
According to BA chef Mark Tazzioli, being at such a high altitude reduces passengers' abilities to taste by 30 per cent. So in addition to using umami-rich ingredients in its meals, the airline is now offering travellers a soundtrack to complement them.
Coffee goes particularly well with Plácido Domingo’s Nessun Dorma from Turandot, as the Tenor's lower tones are suited to the bitterness of the coffee, for example.
The question is, do you choose the song that suits the food you're eating, or the food that matches your favourite song?
The playlist is available on BA’s long-haul flights from November, but if you don't have a journey planned and want to test it out on the ground, here they are in the form of a Spotify playlist, with the menu to pair them with.
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Starter Scottish salmon Scottish musicians can enhance the provenance of Scottish foods Savoury starter or Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington – Azalea Low tones complement savoury starters Breakfast Full English British music should be paired with British food Main British classic Piano notes can enhance the sensation of sweet and bitter tastes. or Coldplay- A sky full of stars British music should be paired with British food Roast dinner Classical music is suitable for meals such as Sunday lunch. The piano notes enhance the sensation of sweet and bitter flavours Dessert James Blunt- You’re beautiful or Madonna- Ray of light High tones boost sweet flavours After dinner chocolate Low tones can bring out the bitterness in chocolate Drinks Red wine Rock music can enhance the depth of flavour, making red wine appear more “heavy” White wine Classical music can enhance the overall experience and perceptions of quality when paired with wine. Coffee Tenors low tones are suited to the bitterness of coffee. |