2024-05-05 12:03:05
In the laboratory, the researchers measured the “contact angle” of several solutions made up of different concentrations of ethanol, the most common form of alcohol, in water. This way they could learn how the molecules in the mixture interact with each other.
It has been found that at low alcohol concentrations, ethanol forms pyramid-shaped structures around water molecules.
But when the concentration of alcohol was increased, they noticed that the ethanol began to form like a chain. The researchers found that temperature also affected these formations.
It was found that in five percent ethanol solutions (the average beer has a similar alcohol concentration), the chain structures clearly increased when the solution was cooled from room temperature to 5 degrees Celsius.
This explains why professional tasters report that beer tastes stronger after it has been refrigerated, the researchers say.
Ethanol has a bitter, slightly sweet taste, so it enhances the overall taste of the beer.
The researchers said their findings could be used by the alcoholic beverage industry to achieve an ethanol-like taste but at the lowest possible alcohol concentration.
The findings are published in Matter magazine.
2024-05-05 12:03:05