One can only wonder why someone would taste a grass to realize that it has the flavor of salt and vinegar potato chips. But this is exactly how this unusual discovery was made by scientists.
While analyzing a bunch of native grass species in the lab, biologists from the University of Western Australia (UWA) recognized that one of them tastes exactly like the flavoring found on salt and vinegar chips.
The discovery happened by accident when someone licked his hand
The unexpected flavor of salt and vinegar came from the tiny droplets found on younger grass stems. The flavorful grass is known as spinifex (Triodia species), a drought-resistant native Australian plant. The spiky grass is known for its toughness, and it dominates much of the red sand desert.
There are around 64 different Triodia species found across Australia. The number could be larger as some species have only a small range and are tucked away in inaccessible locations.
A plant-based diet has its health benefits, but scientists don’t recommend going out and swapping your favorite snacks for a bowl of this spiky grass.
