Watch Science Explain Why Bacon Smells So Amazing

Here's a video that uses chemistry to explain why that bacon-scented alarm clock might be onto something. The chemistry experts behind YouTube channel Reactions offer an animated display of Why Bacon Smells So Good: Basically, bacon's Maillard reaction — which occurs when sugars break down and cause food to "brown" while cooking — triggers the breakdown of aroma compounds like hydrocarbons and nitrogen compounds, which emit sweet and meaty smells. All together, bacon releases 150 compounds during the course of frying in a pan. Go, watch:

Video: Why Does Bacon Smell So Good?

· Why Does Bacon Smell So Good? [YouTube via NPR]
· All Bacon Coverage on Eater [-E-]