An acquired taste

While the choice of refreshments for astronauts has grown considerably in recent years, they continue to crave the spicier things in life – specifically hot sauce. Since the 1960s astronauts have noted that their taste buds don’t work as effectively in space, and it’s not uncommon for astronauts to find themselves enjoying cuisines in space that they couldn’t eat at home, and vice versa. As such, a lot of work has gone into researching the science behind this and coming up with meals that satisfy the astronauts’ hunger as well as enjoyment of the food itself.

Despite the continually updated menus and food choices, nothing seems to beat a good spicy sauce, or really any condiment that can add that extra kick of flavour. Former astronaut Peggy Whitson once wrote in her journal that her crew motto while on the ISS was: “It’s all about the sauce.” She went on to say that “a common question at lunch or dinner is ‘What are you having with your sauce today?’.

But what causes this loss of taste that so many astronauts experience in space? It’s thought that due to the lack of gravity, bodily fluids which would normally drain down to our legs become equally distributed around the body. This can lead to fluids building up in the head and blocking the nasal passages, similar to the congestion you can experience when you catch a cold.

As approximately 80 per cent of the flavours we taste actually come from what we smell, this congestion could explain why astronauts cannot taste the same flavours that they can on Earth. Another theory is that the ISS is filled with a whole range of strange smells, from body odour to sterile equipment. These aromas could distract the astronauts from smelling their own food effectively and getting the most out of the flavour. Either way, it looks like fiery and well-seasoned cuisine is essential for keeping astronauts well fed and happy.