A British scientist has developed a melody that she claims can trick your brain into perceiving chocolate as sweeter and more delicious than usual. And the best part is, you can try it yourself right now.
Natalie Hyacinth, a sound expert from the University of Bristol, composed a 90-second track called “The Sweetest Melody” after being commissioned by UK-based Galaxy Chocolate. The project taps into the concept of multisensory integration, which describes how our brains combine input from different senses to create our perception of the world around us.
Through her research, Hyacinth discovered that certain musical qualities can genuinely enhance the taste of sweet foods. Specifically, she found that relaxing music played in a major key can make treats taste both sweeter and smoother on the palate.
“The more regulated the music is, the sweeter it can taste,” Hyacinth explained in an interview. “The [song] is a beautiful, piano-layered melodic track that is in a high pitch with a BPM of 78. The harp is obviously a very beautiful sound in a high pitch and high key.”
Hyacinth and her team of researchers examined various sonic elements including pitch, tempo, and harmony to craft the composition’s flavor-enhancing properties. The layered sounds in the track work together with other sensory information in the brain, essentially creating an illusion that makes chocolate taste sweeter than it actually is.
While the project serves as a marketing initiative for Galaxy Chocolate, it’s rooted in legitimate scientific principles. The company stated that the track was developed “in an exploration of sensory science” and “aims to enhance the sweet, smooth, silky and creamy notes that underpin every single bite.”
But does it actually work? Results appear to vary from person to person.
One journalist who tested the melody with a milk chocolate bar reported experiencing only a slight increase in perceived sweetness. When a team of news broadcasters tried the experiment on air, their opinions were split—though their test may have been compromised by using chocolate that had passed its expiration date.
For those curious to conduct their own taste test, “The Sweetest Melody” is currently available to stream on both YouTube and Spotify. Simply press play, take a bite of your favorite chocolate, and see if your brain gets fooled into tasting extra sweetness.