VINTAGIENCE

Iga, Japan

VINTAGIENCE

Journal

( History ) The Taste of TimeWhat is Maturation?

The Taste of TimeWhat is Maturation?

Pursuing Unknown Possibilities with 10,000 Years of History and Six Key Elements

Over time, taste is enriched and deepened.
There is still a large number of puzzling aspects to the mechanism behind maturation, and even 10,000 years after its discovery, further possibilities are still being explored.

There are six major factors currently thought to be involved in this process:

1) Temperature: This is related to the progress of maturation and can lead to deterioration and spoilage if the proper temperature is not maintained. Generally, stable low to medium temperatures are optimal. 2) Humidity: Appropriate humidity varies greatly depending on the object being matured. High humidity can lead to mold formation, while low humidity can lead to dryness and deterioration. 3) Oxygen: Trace amounts of oxygen can enhance taste, but it can also cause oxidation and loss of flavor. 4) Container: The ability to maintain stable conditions depends largely on the nature of the product’s container. The use of natural materials in the containers can also influence the flavor of the matured product as it adds said material’s distinct aroma. 5) Salinity: In the case of adding salt to maturing products, too much salt may offset the flavor and requires appropriate adjustment. 6) pH: In fermentation and maturation, pH is a very important factor because acidity controls microbial activity.

The Complexity and Artistry of Combining Human Wisdom and Technology

Adding time as a factor to this complex system, the maturation of food and beverages requires careful design and meticulous control.As temperature and weather conditions can also influence certain elements; finding a location, making it suitable for purpose, and then taking into account the large amount of time required for this process, can make controlling these factors a very expensive endeavor.

The taste of maturation can be considered a comprehensive art of wisdom and technique, created through the painstaking and rigorous study of the accumulated experience of humankind.