Drinking alcohol is a common social activity and pastime in human society, but many people will feel that alcohol is bitter. This feeling often makes people averse to drinking, and some people even choose not to drink because of this. So, why does drinking alcohol feel bitter?
First of all, we need to understand how the taste of wine is produced. The flavor in wine mainly comes from the chemical components in it, including alcohol, sour, sweet, bitter, etc. Among these ingredients,:The bitterness often comes from the alcohol or other chemicals in the wine, such as tannic acid, polyphenols, etc. When these chemicals come into contact with the taste buds in the mouth, they create a bitter sensation that gives the impression that the wine is bitter.
In the process of brewing from sake lees to sake, there are differences in brewing techniques and techniquesMany trace components in wine, such as acids, vinegars, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, phenols, etc., may be involved in the formation of bitterness. Therefore, many people feel bitter when they first come into contact with alcohol.
Why does liquor have a bitter taste
The alcohols in liquor are the main culprits that cause bitterness, such as isobutanol, n-butanol, isoamyl alcohol, ......In order to reduce the bitterness of baijiu, it is necessary to avoid the formation of a large number of such alcohols in the brewing process of baijiu.
As the saying goes, "koji is bitter", the amount of koji is too large, so that the dregs heat up too violently, and the protein produced by yeast degradation in the cellar and the raw protein are deaminate and decarboxylated to produce a large amount of high-grade alcohols, especially isobutanol, which makes the wine bitter. Stale and moldy grains are used to make wine, which contain a lot of tannins and produce a lot of bitter substances when fermented.
There are other reasons that can affect the taste, such as:
1. The fermentation workshop, fermentation vessel and other utensils in direct contact with the fermented grain are not hygienic, resulting in the infection of miscellaneous bacteria in the grain, bringing moldy and bitter taste.
2. If the amount of bran is too large, a large amount of furfural will be produced during fermentation and enter the liquor with distillation.
3. The temperature is high in summer, and the grain is too large, which makes the dregs heat up too violently and the fermentation is abnormal.
4. The cellar is poorly managed, and the cellar mud is opened and infected with miscellaneous bacteria, especially penicillium, and the bitter substances are distilled into the liquor through pure grain brewing equipment.
5. When using the solid state fermentation of the lees, the lees that are not fresh overnight are used to make the lees, which brings bitterness to the liquor.
6. When using traditional pure grain brewing equipment to make wine, the retort pot is not cleaned, and the bottom pot water is not drained clean, which brings a burnt bitter taste. The alkaline content of the local water exceeds the water standard, and the wine made from this water has a bitter and astringent taste.
Why wine has a bitter taste
Wine is a popular drink, but its bitter taste is often discussed. Why is wine bitter? This question relates to factors such as the process of making wine, as well as factors such as grape varieties and origins.
First of all, the bitterness of the wine comes from the tannins in the grape skins and grape seeds. Tannins are a natural chemical that is found in many plants, including grapes. During the wine-making process, grape skins and seeds are added to the fermented must, which is why the wine has a bitter taste.
Secondly, different grape varieties and origins can also affect the bitterness of the wine. Some grape varieties inherently contain more tannins, such as Syrah and Nebbiolo. In addition, grapes grown in different climates and soil conditions can also affect their tannin content. For example, grapes grown in colder climates and stony soils generally contain more tannins and therefore produce more bitter wines.
In addition, the process of making wine can also affect its bitterness. For example, if the skins and seeds are macerated for too long during vinification, more tannins will be released, resulting in a more bitter wine. Moreover, some high-end wines will also use some special techniques to control the tannin content and bitterness in order to achieve a better taste.
Although the bitterness of wine may not be popular with everyone, it is also one of the unique flavors of wine, allowing people to taste different textures and flavors.
Why does beer have a bitter taste
Beer is an ancient alcoholic beverage, and its bitterness is determined by the compounds in the hops. Hops is a commonly used ingredient in beer that contains a compound called acid, which gives beer its distinctive bitterness.
hopsacidis a natural bitter substance that is released during the beer brewing process through boiling and steeping. This bitter substance is an important ingredient in beer, which not only gives beer its unique flavor but also has antibacterial and antioxidant effects, helping to extend the shelf life of beer.
Apart from acids, beer also contains other bitter substances such as acids and tannic acids, among others. These compounds form a complex bitter structure in beer, adding depth and richness to the beer.
The bitterness of beer is more than just a taste experience, it is intimately linked to the culture and history of beer. In many cultures, beer is seen as a mature, complex drink, and its bitterness is considered a symbol of taste and appreciation. Therefore, the bitterness of beer is not only a chemical phenomenon, but also a cultural symbol.
Although the bitterness of beer may not be liked by everyone, it is undoubtedly one of the important characteristics of beer. In beer appreciation and evaluation, bitterness is regarded as an important quality indicator, which reflects the flavor and quality of the beer.
Individual differences are also one of the reasons why people perceive alcohol as bitter。Our tongues are different in their sensitivity to taste perception. Each person's taste system is unique, and the degree to which bitterness is perceived will vary.
Some people's taste buds are very sensitive to bitterness, and they are more likely to feel the bitterness in it when they drink alcohol, resulting in a bitter feeling towards the wine. Others, on the other hand, may be less sensitive to bitterness and less sensitive to the bitterness of the wine.
Our tongues perceive taste differently. After drinking alcohol for a long time, the tongue becomes more and more sluggish to the bitter taste, and the aroma of the wine can be tasted. Cocktail mixers like to add different beverages to their wines, in part to mask out the bitterness.
The first time you drink it, you think it is bitter, and when you think it is getting better and better, it's because the taste is "domesticated."", all kinds of mixology also feel richer in taste, so the number of people drinking alcohol gradually increases.
In addition, the way of drinking and the quality of the wine can also affect people's bitterness of the wine. Some alcoholic beverages may have some bitter substances added during the production process, or they may have a bitter taste due to long storage. All of these factors can make the wine taste more bitter. At the same time, some people may choose stronger alcohols when drinking, which have a higher alcohol content and can also give people a stronger bitter taste.
Therefore, for those who feel that the wine is bitter, you can try to choose a softer taste, or adjust the taste buds' perception of bitterness appropriately, so as to better enjoy the pleasure of drinking.