| Grilling has been around since pre-historic times. It is | | | | There is a very long and drawn out description of |
| best described as a method of cooking with the use | | | | this reaction but I will humbly attempt to provide you |
| of dry heat. This heat is generated in many ways; | | | | with a more understandable version. |
| using charcoal, hard woods, gas flame, and electric | | | | The mouth-watering odors and aromas you inhale at |
| heat. | | | | any given barbeque are the result of a reaction |
| The word "grill" comes from the metal wire grid or | | | | between amino acids and sugars. The type of amino |
| rack on which the food is prepared and cooked. | | | | acid present determines the resulting flavor. Hence, |
| While grilling above a dry heat source is | | | | when you add your favorite flavored sauce to |
| commonplace, it can also be done below the heat | | | | meats, it produces an aroma consistent with what's |
| source. When food is grilled below the heat source in | | | | on the sauce or seasoning label. |
| this manner, it's called "broiling". When you char broil | | | | Flavor scientists (called flavorists) know which |
| grill, it usually involves cooking with charcoal. | | | | ingredients contain the right amino acids needed to |
| So why is this form of cooking foods so popular? | | | | create a artificial flavors. Now when you add those |
| One reason is the atmosphere of the barbeque; | | | | sauces and seasonings to your meats, you get the |
| another more primary reason is taste. Grilled foods, | | | | desired taste and aroma. |
| meats in particular, have a distinct taste and aroma. | | | | Walk into any supermarket and you will find hundreds |
| This is due largely to a chemical reaction called the | | | | of different barbeque flavorings, sauces and |
| Maillard reaction. | | | | seasonings that will yield an equal number of flavors. |
| The Maillard reaction is a form of non-enzymatic | | | | They range from Asian Sesame to Ginger Wasabi to |
| browning similar to caramelization and occurs | | | | Sweet Chipotle and thousands more. |
| whenever meats are cooked using temperatures in | | | | Now, gear up for summer, get your char broil grill set |
| excess of 310 degrees farenheit (156 degrees | | | | up and select a good quality outdoor grill. Then you |
| celcius). Meats cooked on a grill generally reach | | | | can start experimenting with wide selection of |
| temperatures in excess of 500 degrees farenheit | | | | barbeque condiments; or maybe even develop your |
| (260 degrees celcius). | | | | own unique flavor. |