Confectioners, snack companies experimenting with sweet-and-salty combinations
Mixing complementary sweet and salty flavors helps manufacturers appeal to broader audience.
Sweets are, without question, delicious. And everyone needs a salty snack once in a while. Put the two together, and you have a formidable treat on your hands.
“There are a few reasons why the combination of sweet and salty is pure magic!” says Mark Mackey, chief chocolatier, Ethel M Chocolates. “Scientists recently discovered specific taste receptors on our tongues, which are specifically activated by sodium. These receptors not only activate the sense of saltiness, but the others as well (sweet, sour, bitter).”