The new song aims to make the experience of eating chocolate more enjoyable by focusing on how different parts of the brain interact with one another.
Dr Natalie Hyacinth, a composer, sound expert and academic at the University of Bristol, is behind the new song ‘Sweetest Melody’ designed to make munching on chocolate even more enjoyable. The song is shaped around musical elements known to influence flavour, including pitch, tempo and key.
Dr Hyacinth reviewed six decades of scientific studies to discover how different parts of the brain can interact through a process known as ‘multisensory integration’. She found this is particularly strong when enjoying sweet treats like chocolate when listening to music.
Her research showed smooth music in a major key enhances sweetness and silkiness, while sharper sounds bring out bitter or sour flavours. High tempo beats were found to pair best with fast foods.
The original composition, which can be found on YouTube and Spotify, is just over a minute long – roughly the same time it takes for a piece of chocolate to melt in your mouth.
Commissioned by Galaxy Chocolate, the song plays at a leisurely 78 bpm, a rhythm chosen to highlight creaminess. The melody is carried by piano, with the addition of harp and strings creating a smooth, flowing texture reminiscent of chocolate itself.
Dr Hyacinth said: “This initiative shows how enjoying chocolate can be a multisensory experience that goes beyond taste to engage all senses. The power of music to enhance our enjoyment of chocolate is a thrilling prospect.”
The track follows a survey of 2,000 Brits which revealed that 37 per cent indulge in ‘me time’ with a sweet treat, while 56 per cent unwind with music.
Among Gen Z, six out of 10 prefer to browse social media, whereas half of Millennials and Gen X opt for a good book.
‘Me time’ has been found to reduce stress, make people feel relaxed, and boost happiness. However, the study showed that many struggle to fully enjoy their ‘me time’, citing busy households, lack of time, guilt, and even anxiety or loneliness as significant obstacles.
On average, Brits only manage to carve out four-and-a-half days of genuine ‘me time’ annually, with over half wishing they had more time to themselves.
Romi Mackiewicz, brand director at Galaxy, said: “By inviting the public to explore how music can refine their chocolate experience, we’re not only offering a delicious treat, but a symphony for the senses.
“We want people to make the most of their ‘me time’ and listening to our track for just 64 seconds a day could give them an extra two hours of ‘me time’ a year.”
TOP 10 ‘ME TIME’ MOMENTS:
- Watching TV/Streaming Services
- Listening to music
- Reading a book
- Going for a walk or spending time in nature
- Enjoying a drink (alcoholic or not)
- Having a nap
- Enjoying your favourite chocolate
- Scrolling on social media
- Catching up with friends
- Gardening
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