The "electronic tongue," which tastes food.
September 30, 2014 6:35 AM Subscribe
So the Thai Green curry (made in Thailand by Thai people), falls short of the minimum 80 per cent needed to make it a legitimate Thai Green curry according to the Robot sanctioned by the illegitimate Government of Thailand?
I give up.
posted by evil_esto at 7:02 AM on September 30, 2014 [3 favorites]
I give up.
posted by evil_esto at 7:02 AM on September 30, 2014 [3 favorites]
The machine evaluates food by measuring its conductivity at different voltages. Readings from 10 sensors are combined to produce the chemical signature.
Is there any reason to think that could possibly work? It sounds like a description of a multimeter, or rather a resistance meter. This other article describes it differently, so maybe it's more complex than that.
Bland Thai food is indeed a real problem. In the US places often just don't use essential spices, like lemongrass,kaffir lime leaves makrut, or galangal. Lazy or cheap, not sure which. But even in Bangkok I had a hard time getting food with flavor; they just assumed all Westerners were French and the slightest bit of seasoning would leave them wilting. Then I went to The Local where I foolishly ordered the hottest dish on the menu and asked for it "spicy for Thai people". Sure was delicious, at least the parts I managed to eat, but it left me wishing I could explain I wanted lots of spices, just not so much hot chile.
Cooking a basic Thai curry is really not so hard if you're willing to cheat a little and use a curry paste. Even the basic recipe on the side of the jar is better than most of what I can get with Thai takeout, and adding a bit of extra garlic, lemongrass, etc makes for a pretty good dish.
posted by Nelson at 7:32 AM on September 30, 2014
Is there any reason to think that could possibly work? It sounds like a description of a multimeter, or rather a resistance meter. This other article describes it differently, so maybe it's more complex than that.
Bland Thai food is indeed a real problem. In the US places often just don't use essential spices, like lemongrass,
Cooking a basic Thai curry is really not so hard if you're willing to cheat a little and use a curry paste. Even the basic recipe on the side of the jar is better than most of what I can get with Thai takeout, and adding a bit of extra garlic, lemongrass, etc makes for a pretty good dish.
posted by Nelson at 7:32 AM on September 30, 2014
So the Thai Green curry (made in Thailand by Thai people), falls short of the minimum 80 per cent needed to make it a legitimate Thai Green curry according to the Robot sanctioned by the illegitimate Government of Thailand?
I don't remember this chapter of The Windup Girl.
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 7:49 AM on September 30, 2014 [3 favorites]
I don't remember this chapter of The Windup Girl.
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 7:49 AM on September 30, 2014 [3 favorites]
Nelson: Then I went to The Local where I foolishly ordered the hottest dish on the menu and asked for it "spicy for Thai people".Next up: "Mr. Tyson, please hit me in the face as hard as you can," and, "Watch me stick my tongue in this liquid nitrogen!"
posted by IAmBroom at 9:13 AM on September 30, 2014 [1 favorite]
My favorite Thai food story: way back in the day, there used to be a Thai/British guy who occasionally posted recipes on Usenet. One recipe included the instructions "If cooking for non-Thais, use 4 birdseye peppers. If cooking for Thais, use 40."
posted by tavella at 9:39 AM on September 30, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by tavella at 9:39 AM on September 30, 2014 [2 favorites]
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posted by Ice Cream Socialist at 6:52 AM on September 30, 2014 [2 favorites]