Imagine the sound of smoky, sizzling meats – it’s the charm of a perfect BBQ. Grill and BBQ flavours are universal, transforming simple ingredients into mouthwatering delights and offering a variety of experiences. More than just cooking, BBQ brings people together across generations.
In Asian cuisine, BBQ holds a unique and vibrant place, often intertwined with the lively atmosphere of night markets. Families and friends gather around sizzling grills, savouring skewers of marinated meats and vegetables. Night markets, bustling with energy, are the perfect setting for this communal dining tradition. From smoky yakitori in Japan to spicy satay in Malaysia, Indonesia and many more, the aroma of BBQ wafts through the market stalls, inviting everyone to indulge in the vibrant, complex flavours that define Asian street food culture.
At Silesia, its flavourists Alex Hahn and Philipp Bonsels have delved deep into the science of BBQ.
Alex Hahn, Silesia’s Senior Savoury Flavourist in Singapore, has spent the last 20 years exploring the rich and diverse tastes of Asia. He said, “BBQ in Asia features mouthwatering skewers of marinated chicken, pork, beef and seafood. Food lovers can elevate their meals with an assortment of spicy or sweet sauces, fresh herbs and pickled vegetables. Charcoal grilling is common, but in coastal areas, coconut husks are used, and meat & vegetables are often stuffed into banana leaves or bamboo tubes for grilling and steaming.”
This flavourful journey has broadened Alex’s BBQ expertise and expanded his culinary horizons. He focuses on discovery, exploring and collecting experiences for his next culinary flavour creation. He added, “As a flavourist, I use the term BBQ to describe an impression that simultaneously conveys grilled and smoked notes. It’s a harmonious blend of aromatic grill-like notes generated from fat dripping onto hot coals and the smoky, carbonization smell arising from the charcoal itself. As meat cooks, fats and juices drip onto the hot charcoal surface where they instantaneously evaporate. This grill vapour infuses the meat and other BBQ goods on the grid, continuously enriching the profile. At the same time, burning charcoal produces a distinctive smoky aroma derived from the carbonization reactions occurring within. Smokiness provides a deep rustic scent that is instantly recognizable. The science behind BBQ is equally fascinating.”
On a molecular level, fatty acids present in meat fats or brushed-on vegetable oil undergo significant chemical transformations, turning into a complex mix of hydrocarbons, aldehydes, and ketones that impart burnt, fatty, and grilled associations. Equally, the wood component like lignin generates phenolic, smoky notes, while cellulose is thermally transformed into compounds associated with sweeter, caramel-like impressions.”
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n Germany, BBQ, known as “Grillen”, is a beloved tradition. Philipp Bonsels, one of Silesia’s Savoury Flavourists at its headquarters in Neuss, Germany shared, “Grilling in Germany is a social event in summer with family and friends and brings together a traditional abundance of accompanying salads like pasta salad, potato salad, and coleslaw as well as breads and spreads which are just as important as the grilled food itself. Traditionally, pork has been the star on German grills including pork neck steaks with paprika or herb marinade, crispy roasted pork belly and classic bratwurst seasoned with pepper, nutmeg, marjoram and caraway. Nowadays vegetarian options such as grilled cheese or vegan meat alternatives are gaining popularity. In my job as flavourist at Silesia, I love to create flavours that bring traditional tastes to vegan products by combining our unique in-house BBQ essence with smoky, meaty and spice notes.”
The world of BBQ offers a rich tapestry of flavours and traditions to explore all over the globe. ‘At Silesia, we’ve extracted, condensed, and bottled the unique essence of BBQ. This natural recipe component for our flavour creations allows food manufacturers to recreate authentic, consistent BBQ experiences in their products, whether they aim for classic German bratwurst profiles or complex spicy notes of Southeast Asian street food favourites. By combining expertise from different regions and understanding the science behind BBQ flavours, Silesia continues to innovate in the world of flavour creation, offering tailor- made solutions for the food industry’.
For more information, click on: Silesia Flavours South East Asia Pte Ltd
