by Rosangela Lopez (6th)

 

You’ve heard of weird food combos, but have you heard of peanut butter and pickle sandwiches? Or stuffed onion and peanut butter? Those are just two of the weird food combos Shelby and I are covering today. You’ll get an insider's view on this due to the fact that we have to eat these foods.

 

But where did these food combos come from, and what makes them bad and good? This is Shelby, and I’m here to explain the science behind these combos that sometimes makes them an every day craving or has you spitting out seconds after. The truth behind this madness all has to do with flavor chemistry, the study of how different chemical compounds react with each other to create the original tastes we know and love. 80% of our prescription of food comes from our sense of smell and the “flavor pairing hypnosis" suggests that ingredients that share overlapping volatile aroma compounds will pair well together and that 80% of our prescription of food comes from our sense of smell, the basis of flavor foundation. It also deals with balancing tastes like the sweetness of a McDonalds milkshake with the salty, savory taste of fries. In other words, sweet and salty, spicy and creamy, and sweet and savory. Now that you know what makes some of these combos make you go “eww!” or “mmm!” Rosie will now tell you about how your cultural background affects how you take the combo.

 

Now it’s me, Rosie and let’s talk about the cultural background of these food combos, because after all it’s not just the taste of the combos that make them work. According to studies, your cultural background affects the food you eat. Depending on your religion, family traditions, community norms, and even your location can affect how you take these weird food combos. For example, let's talk about peanut butter and stuffed onion. This combo was a “staple food” during the Great Depression. A staple food is a basic food that is eaten regularly and in large quantities. This combo had easy access ingredients, was easy to make, and also (FOR SOME) the taste was good. A reason you would eat this is because you might have had a family member who ate this during the Great Depression and you feel a cultural pull towards it. Also in case you decide to try peanut butter and stuffed onion, you stuff the peanut butter inside the whole onion then cook it. I haven’t had the time to try this combo/you think I am going to eat something like that?!

 

This next topic has a big influence on how these weird food combos spread…Social media. Someone uploads a picture of their weird food combo and people start seeing it and sharing the post with others. People will start trying the food combos for many different reasons, one of them being for the sense of community. Let’s take peanut butter and pickle sandwich for example. At first no one knew about this bizarre combo, then The New York Times reposted an article they wrote and it got a lot of attention. Social media had debates about the sandwich and there was even a peanut butter and pickle sandwich trend! Beware though because it may taste a bit strange, as it did for me when I had it.

 

Now it's Shelby and Rosie and for your entertainment only we tried some of these interesting combos! 

Cheetos and milk: Alright this is Rosie and it is like a soggy Cheeto, and I’m not being sarcastic. There is nothing really else to describe the Cheeto since the combo really just tastes normal. This is Shelby, and I tried the mac and cheese with ketchup. After trying this I know this is NOT good. The ketchup makes the meal way too acidity and makes it kinda soggy. Overall this looks disgusting and will make you gag (at least in my case). This is Rosie and I tried a peanut butter and pickle sandwich. I didn’t like it, the flavors for me did not mix well together. I also tried the french fries and milkshake and the salt on cake. Those two combos however taste DELICIOUS! Those are amazing combos you need to try!

 

Alright now let’s see what people at our school feel about these combos! 

First we’re going to ask a 6th grader, Willow Spangler about her opinion on these interesting treats,

Rosie: How do you feel about peanut butter and pickle sandwiches? Are they an abomination or something that should be eaten every day?

 

Willow: Disgusting, don’t make me throw up. Don’t make me throw up. I like pickles, but not peanut butter.

 

Shelby: How about fries dipped in milkshakes?

 

Willow: I think it is pretty good. I have tried it before.

 

Rosie: Alright, bye we don’t need you anymore!

 

Shellby: No, say thank you for your time!

 

Our next interview is with a 7th grader, Faye Grigg,

 

Shelby: What do you feel about mac and cheese and ketchup? Would you try it?

 

Faye: Absolutely not. Those just don’t go together like ketchup is so sweet and mac and cheese just, what is wrong with you guys?

 

Rosie: How about peanut butter and stuffed onion?

 

Faye: No, I’m sorry but onion is just gross and with peanut butter? No thank you.

 

In conclusion, that’s the end!