My friend Michael recommended that I purchase the Flavor Bible, a great book by Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg, which should be in every kitchen. This book is a guide rather than a cookbook. It allows you to cook more intuitively with ingredients by discovering which flavors have the strongest affinities with one another. In the very first chapter, the Flavor Bible defines what flavor really is.

FLAVOR = TASTE + MOUTHFEEL + AROMA + “THE X FACTOR”

What is flavor?

• Taste = What is perceived by the taste buds
• Mouthfeel = What is perceived by the rest of the mouth
• Aroma = What is perceived by the nose
• “The X Factor”= What is perceived by the other senses – plus the heart, mind and spirit.

In the few weeks leading to Palo Alto Tasting Week, I would encourage you to work with your children and friends on trying to sense all four components of flavor when trying out a new food. It’s fun and educational at the same time.