"Magnetic Tongue" Has a Taste for Canned Tomatoes

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have developed a "magnetic tongue" that can replicate human flavor detection with an artificial sensor.

The sensor could be used by food manufacturers to adjust their production methods to maximize flavor.

According to New Scientist, the researchers used the artificial tongue to analyze the chemical composition of 18 different types of canned tomatoes by examining hydrogen atoms with nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy:

Statistical analysis correlated collections of these compounds with flavours like saltiness, sweetness, and bitterness, as ranked by trained tasters. The "magnetic tongue" tastes tomato liquid practically straight from the can. Manufacturers could sample tomatoes during production with this sensor and quickly adjust their methods to create better tasting products.

FDA: Black Licorice Could Be Bad for Your Health

Just in time for Halloween, there's a new warning from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about the dangers of black licorice. If you’re 40 or older, eating two ounces of black licorice a day for at least two weeks could cause an irregular heart rhythm or arrhythmia.

Read More >

Garject: A Garlic Press With an Ejector Seat

Dreamfarm's design for its Garject garlic press features a "Peel eject" button which shoots out the remaining garlic (and skin) from the gadget once it's been pressed. And, as you go about pressing the garlic, a scraper built into the handle removes the pressed garlic once it has passed through the tiny holes.

Check out the video to see how it works:

The Corkcicle Chills Wine from the Inside Out

Will the Corkcicle make wine buckets obsolete?

When the device -- made of non-toxic gels enveloped in BPA-free plastic -- is frozen and inserted into a bottle of white wine, it will chill the bottle in about 45 minutes (it takes 10 minutes to cool a bottle of red to optimal serving temperature).

$23 at corkcicle.com. [via Food52 via Gizmodo].

The Girl Scouts Go Local With "Locavore" Badge

The mission of the Girl Scouts is to "build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place," and in a nod to the local food movement, that now includes eating local. As part of a new program released October 1st to honor the organization's 100th anniversary, the Girl Scouts has launched a "Locavore" badge.

"All of our badges reflect what today’s girls said they wanted to know about -- girls are interested in what they eat and how it affects their health and the environment, so the Locavore badge gives them a chance to delve into those issues in their communities," said Alisha Niehaus, Executive Editor, Program Resources, in an email. "Plus, what’s more fun than making your own food, and truly knowing it from farm to table?"

Miniature Food Rings

SouZouCreations' Food Rings feature extremely detailed miniature plates of of food set on adjustable silver tone bands. Pictured here is a dish of uni and tobiko sushi with soy sauce and a cup of green tea. Other designs -- made from plastic, glass, metal, and ceramics -- feature everything from traditional Japanese dishes to breakfast and dessert.

$10 to $12.50 each at the SouZouCreations etsy shop.

Chalkboard Canisters

These ceramic Memo Canisters have matte "labels" where you can identify the contents using erasable chalk (included). Airtight plastic lids keep contents fresh.

Made in Germany. Dishwasher safe.

Set of three canisters is $40 at MoMA.

A Cutting Board for the OCD Chef

Fred's OCD Chef Chopping Block (that's OCD for "obsessive chopping disorder") will bring your food prep to extreme new levels of precision.

Beechwood, measuring 9 x 12 inches.

$28 at The Spoon Sisters.

Making the iPad More Kitchen-Friendly

Designed specifically for use in the kitchen, Belkin's Chef Stand + Stylus ($39) is aimed at solving the problem of using a tablet while your hands are messy from cooking.

The stylus enables you to page through recipes without having to touch the screen, and the case-compatible stand has a non-slip rubber base and two different angles for propping up the tablet while cooking.

While the stand and stylus are not dishwasher-safe, both may be washed by hand with soap and warm water.

Food Ink: Kitchen Utensil Temporary Tattoos

Tattly's Kitchen Utensil Temporary Tattoos feature hand-drawn illustrations of a knife, whisk, wine opener, and box grater.

$5 for a two sets of tattos at Tattly.