Why Does This Cheese Taste So Gouda?
Scientists in Germany combined mass spectrometry and other analytical instruments and sensory tools to identify six gamma-glutamyl peptides that appear to be responsible for the complex, long-lasting flavor of Gouda cheese.
Scientists in Germany combined mass spectrometry and other analytical instruments and sensory tools to identify six gamma-glutamyl peptides that appear to be responsible for the complex, long-lasting flavor of Gouda cheese. They compared 4-week-old Gouda to a Gouda that had been aged 44 weeks, which had a more intense “kokumi sensation,” or heartiness, when sampled by a taste panel. The six peptides were present in much greater quantities in the aged cheese, accounting for its richer flavor. Because the 4-week-old cheese lacked this intense kokumi sensation, the researchers concluded that the six peptides develop during the ripening process. According to the researchers, their discovery could lead to the development of more flavorful cheeses and other dairy products by technological means.
Newsletter
Get essential updates on the latest spectroscopy technologies, regulatory standards, and best practices—subscribe today to Spectroscopy.
sCMOS vs CCD: Advancing High-Speed CARS Spectroscopy
July 14th 2025A new comparative study shows that scientific CMOS (sCMOS) cameras could rival traditional CCD detectors in certain Raman CARS spectroscopy applications, offering faster readout and dynamic range despite slightly higher noise levels.
How Analytical Chemists Are Navigating DOGE-Driven Funding Cuts
July 14th 2025DOGE-related federal funding cuts have sharply reduced salaries, lab budgets, and graduate support in academia. Researchers view the politically driven shifts in priorities as part of recurring systemic issues in U.S. science funding during administrative transitions. The impact on Federal laboratories has varied, with some seeing immediate effects and others experiencing more gradual effects. In general, there is rising uncertainty over future appropriations. Sustainable recovery may require structural reforms, leaner administration, and stronger industry-academia collaboration. New commentary underscores similar challenges, noting scaled-back graduate admissions, spending freezes, and a pervasive sense of overwhelming stress among faculty, students, and staff. This article addresses these issues for the analytical chemistry community.
