Scientific formula for the perfect cheese sandwich
Boffins have created a formula to calculate the amount of each ingredient needed to make the perfect cheese sandwich.
The research from sensory analysists at Bristol University, works out the perfect thickness of a slice of cheese when used in conjunction with bread and popular accompaniments.
The nine algebraic variable formula has now been put online and users can enter the items they want on their sarnie.
It will tell sandwich-lovers the ideal quantities to use including, cheese, the thickness of bread, the dough flavour, the thickness of mayonnaise, the amount of tomato and whether lettuce should be added.
Senior research fellow Geoff Nute said: “We used specially trained human taste testers to sample a range of Cheddar cheeses in a carefully controlled environment and combined results from these tests with instrumental data obtained using colorometers and pressure sensors.
“The results of our research have been extrapolated to produce a formula which takes into account modifying characteristics of individual cheeses and the ratio of popular fillings and achieves a mathematical balance of flavours in order to gauge the correct thickness of the Cheddar.”
W = the thickness of Cheddar in millimetres
B = The thickness of the bread
D = The dough flavour modifier
S = The thickness of margarine or butter
M = The thickness of mayonnaise
C = The creaminess modifier
V = The thickness of tomato
P = The depth of pickle
T = The tanginess modifier
I = The thickness of the lettuce layer
West Country Farmhouse Cheesemakers, who commissioned the research have set up the website cheddarometer.com where you can try the formula out.
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