Contrary to popular belief, using gold for food preparations is not a new trend, instead, it has been around for longer than you think. Back in the day, people used unusual ingredients in the mix to enhance the taste.
One thing for sure, no other unusual ingredient will surprise you more than the gold.
Amidst the whole rainbow of interesting food inventions, gold is the most unique ingredient.
It is hard to imagine putting a heavy metal in your meal which creates a huge curiosity about its taste.
Have you ever wondered what gold tastes like? Many food lovers would want to know if it is just shimmering garnishing on top or contributes to the taste. Read on to know what edible gold tastes like.
What Does Gold Taste Like?
Food with gold toppings or wrapped in gold leaf sheets is quite expensive and rightfully so.
Gold’s newfound popularity in the food industry is quite fascinating. Many foodies are willing to pay extra dollars to eat food with gold in the mix.
Coming to its taste, gold lacks actual taste. Similar to all edible precious noble metals, it is tasteless with a slight texture.
It is very light on the tongue and will not make you choke or affect the taste of the meal in any way.
Simply put, gold does not add anything to the taste or food but a sparkling appearance and loads of glitter.
Gold is considered the ultimate ingredient in gourmet luxury, however, it does not have any taste.
It is usually added to the food for its aesthetic appeal and to make customers feel like they are having a luxurious and rare meal. Read a guide to Test Gold at Home with Toothpaste?
Does Gold Have a Metallic Taste?
First and foremost, edible gold is processed in certified facilities to make products intended for use in food. It is understandable to think gold has a metallic taste, however, it is not true.
In fact, the World Bank process gold is processed in thin layers (tenths of a micron), it is absolutely tasteless and undetectable to the palate.
Edible gold is pure metal, containing no copper harmful to the body. Interestingly enough, it is hypoallergenic, gluten-free, and perfect for decorating any dish.
If Gold is Tasteless, Why is it Added to Food?
Edible gold is used to make any dish extravagant and glamorous. Besides being tasteless, gold does not have any nutritional value or contain macronutrients like protein, carbohydrates, or fats.
It is not just now that adding edible gold to food has become a viral sensation, mankind has had an appetite for this glittery, soft metal for centuries.
Historically, edible gold was limited to the idea of fine dining to illustrate the wealth and honor of the person.
For centuries, thin pounded gold sheets have been used to garnish pastries and sweet and savory treats. While it does not have any effect on the taste of the food, it adds a glamorous touch and increases its price value at the same time.
Due to the high demand, edible gold has made its way to the world’s finest restaurants to bring out a sense of luxury and class to the customers.
Today, desserts, drinks, and entrees are graced with the presence of harmless edible gold.
Edible gold is added as a garnish to appeal to the customer’s most essential sense of food enjoyment; vision. Restaurants turn simple meals into deluxe by adding gold to them.
Appearance over Taste
The idea of eating a gold-plated dish is a bit absurd as you will be spending hundreds of dollars on a gold-covered dish that would not even taste.
Nowadays, people take photographs of food and post them on social media, they care less about the taste and prefer the appearance.
Further, consuming something rare and luxurious is an expression of wealth. People do not mind paying hundreds of dollars for a dish with a little extra glimmer especially if it is completely non-toxic.
Many culinary writers consider this new gold-eating trend an act of ‘inexcusable extravagance’. Due to its absolute tastelessness, you are paying extra for nothing but a little extra glitter.
What Foods Contain Edible Gold?
Nowadays, the world’s finest restaurants, bars, pastry shops, and fast-food outlets have dishes with gold infused in them.
Majorly, it is used to adorn desserts for added splendor. Moreover, fancy bars use floating gold flakes for certain alcoholic drinks like champagne and cocktails.
Additionally, chefs also use edible gold to charm up snacks like burgers, sushi, coffee, tacos, and even hot dogs. A thin sheet of gold is also used to decorate the sushi roll and ramen.
Conclusion
Eating gold-plated dishes may sound luxurious, however, gold does not have any effect on the taste. It is completely tasteless and only used to bring out the extra shine and luxury to the serving.