The palate’s Prozac

Brisbane Times:

When the recession hit (the first time around), you could hear the words buzzing from the mobile phone of every restaurant consultant around the world: “It’s time for comfort food.” But behind the cottage pies and creamy mash lies a question: what does “comfort food” really mean? What about it actually comforts us?

Let’s look at some big-time comfort foods: cheese on toast, boiled eggs and soldiers, apple crumble, chocolate cake. When people talk about comfort food, the obvious explanation is that it’s all about nostalgia and missing Mum’s cooking. But, really, it takes more than this to create the rush of sensations that make us feel safe, calm and cared for. It’s a complex interplay of memory, history and brain chemistry, and while some basics apply – most of us are soothed by the soft, sweet, smooth, salty and unctuous – the specifics are highly personal.

Read the full story: Brisbane Times