High Altitude Flavors

[Donw]

Just read an article concerning meals on airlines and it discussed how altitude affects flavors. Airlines conducted testing which determined that food lost most of its flavor in testing that simulated 10,000 feet in elevation, so the food served on airlines is cooked differently for flights. They have to double the amount of seasoning, only use fresh herbs, and a host of other tricks to produce the meals.

While I live at sea level it got me to wondering about anything members at higher elevations have to do to produce their great tasting food. I would like to hear if those at higher elevations have experienced this phenomenon and what they do to overcome it.

[mountainsmoker]

Donw I am at about 3500 feet. The only thing we do is add a little more herbs to things. As far as salt, pepper and spices there really isn't much difference from when we lived in Boston or Charleston.

[MBMorgan]

Not really a conscious issue at 6300’ here in Colorado. Of course, I do everything to taste anyhoo ....

[Elton's BBQ]

Haha

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

The only things I changed when moving from Colorado to sea level places is I stopped looking for high altitude cooking time conversions for recipes Airplane HA is a different story and lots of fun show episodes have been produced around this. Wolfgang Puck had a thing (maybe it was just to hype the airline he was working for, but it was interesting anyway), I think Dinner Impossible had an episode, and there was something else on Cooking or FOOD I forget which. It's an interesting problem and I like the science used to achieve the result. But at the end of the day, the solution I like the best is what the military does... Flyers boxes taste like ***** on the ground and the same at altitude and the price doesn't change

[CaptainMike]

I quit eating airline food long ago. Super expensive and super disgusting. There was a time when it was neither, but that was back when they cared about their customers. Apologies for the Downer Debbie, Don.

[TNPIGBBQ]

When they still served steaks on planes, you couldn’t fly across the country on SouthWest for $60.

The Titanic was a cruise, just a touch fancier and greater deference for passengers than the last time I took a Carnival to the Bahamas. We didn’t sink though, so we had that going for us, which is nice.

[FireMan]

I quit flyin. 🕶

[Elton's BBQ]

And started lying? 😆

[smokin fool]

I only fly to the US or Jamaica so most airlines don't bother with a meal on flights lees than 4-5 hours anymore.
Air Canada had a meal options from Subway and other fast food outlets for sale at exorbitant prices.
When I worked for airlines at YYZ I got into the flight kitchens on few times.
The food/products used to make inflight meals where always top notch, the fact that it was made hours before the flight, stored, transported to aircraft, reheated to be served 1-2 hours into the flight made it the next best thing to serving left overs.
....so where's my little bag of 7-9 peanuts....

[Donw]

Having taken several Air Canada flights in the past month I can believe they use top notch ingredients. Had sausages on two of them that were actually very good, even at 30,000 feet.

[Elton's BBQ]

As the pig i am, I eat just about anything...high or low 🐽

[HawkerXP]

I don't fly airlines to often and when I do its short flights. I will talk with our flight attendant and see if she has heard of this. She usually cooks from scratch onboard.

[Donw]

Thanks. At the heights you guys fly I’m sure if anyone experiences this phenomenon it would be in your cabins.

[HawkerXP]

This info is for the Gulfstream GV I maintain: The aircraft pressurization system can automatically maintain a cabin altitude of sea level at an aircraft altitude of 11,000 feet to a cabin altitude of 6,000 feet at an aircraft altitude of 51,000 feet. The system can also be operated manually. A warning is displayed if cabin altitude exceeds 8,000 feet.

[HawkerXP]

Commercial airliners would also have to keep cabin pressure / altitude in this range. Unless you want everyone to take a little nap.

[FireMan]

Yeah @Elton’s BBQ , I was just tellin someone the other day I’m like a junkyard dog, I’ll eat anything cept processed coconut & I quit flyin, no particular reason, no need to. 🕶