The Clever Reason You Should Pack Pantry Spices In Your Airport Carry-On

Wondering what exactly the deal is with airline food has become a comedic trope. Though the king of observational comedy, Jerry Seinfeld, is often credited with first asking this question — he did have material on airplane travel – he never actually said anything of the sort (via Mental Floss). It could be that our collective disdain for plane food is what popularized the oft-repeated observation. Along with tight quarters, turbulence, and more recently, stringent airport security, the measly meals you often get while soaring through the sky can be one of the most unpleasant facets of air travel.

But really, what is the deal with airline food? It's just so plane — pun absolutely intended. However, the skies do not need to be synonymous with bland grub. In fact, if you're aware of the scientific reason why airline food is often tasteless, you can take matters into your own hands, and preemptively stock your carry-on with an assortment of spices.

It isn't necessarily the quality of the food your chosen airline provides that can make your eating experience so unpleasant. The BBC, citing a 2010 Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics study commissioned by the Lufthansa airline, explains that the decreased moisture content in a pressurized plane cabin's air supply, as well as the lower air pressure of a high-altitude flight, affect the way we taste food. This is primarily because around 80% of taste is linked to smell, and the dry cabin air interferes with your nose's ability to pre-taste your inflight meal.

According to CNN, flavor is far from the top priority of the culinary minds behind your airplane fare. Airline food is precooked, then stored, and later reheated so that passengers can enjoy a warm meal. Institute of Food Technologists' scientist Guy Crosby tells us that refrigerating food can cause its flavors to wane (via HuffPost). CNN also notes that inflight meals need to appeal to the masses, and as such, strong-flavored foods may be overlooked in favor of more mild fare.

You probably have a fully stocked pantry at home. So, why wouldn't you want to use the comforts of your earthbound abode to make your time in the sky a little more tolerable? Of course, we're all aware of the stringent policies regarding what can and cannot accompany you on your aerial journey. Fortunately, the TSA explains that spices are not on the list of prohibited items, so long as your spices are solid, and not liquid or gel-based. You can store these spices in your checked bags, but it might be preferable to stash them in your carry-on if you want to use them on your mid-flight meal.

Food scientist Robin Dando, talking with the Cornell Chronicle, tells us that in the environment of a flight, umami, or savory, flavors become more pronounced. As such, you might consider packing a grinder of pink Himalayan salt to improve your food. The Cornell Chronicle goes on to say that your sweetness receptors are dulled in the air, so you may want to counteract this by packing some sweet spices, like cumin, nutmeg, and cinnamon (via Leafy Place).