rancidity
Oils gone bad
Rancidity is the state of fats or oils having gone bad, producing an unpleasant smell and taste.
It occurs when exposure to air, light, or heat causes chemical breakdown.
You detect rancidity in old nuts, stale chips, or cooking oil past its prime: The rancidity of the butter was unmistakable.
The term extends figuratively to anything that has soured or spoiled.
Decomposed and foul-smelling
- sournessAcidic taste quality
- ranknessOffensive odor quality
- rottennessState of decay
- foulnessOffensive, corrupt quality
tainting · decomposition · fermentation · souring · curdling · putrescence · fetidness · turning
Spontaneous reaction with oxygen
- free radicalsChemically reactive atomic fragments
- polyunsaturatedMultiple double bonds present
- unsaturated fatsLipids with incomplete hydrogen bonding
- off-flavorsUnintended unpleasant tastes
aldehydes · ketones · malondialdehyde · catalysis · enzymatic · triglycerides · fatty acids · lipolysis
Intense physical aversion
- revulsionIntense physical disgust
- nauseaPre-vomiting stomach discomfort
- aversionIntense dislike or repugnance
- distasteMild aversion or dislike
loathing · repugnance · off-putting · unpalatable · inedible · recoil · gagging · sour smell
Substances counteracting oxidative damage
- preservativesDecay-preventing substances
- shelf-lifePeriod before spoilage
- refrigerationHeat removal for preservation
- vacuum-packingPreservation by removing air
stabilizers · airtight containers · vitamin E · ascorbic acid
putrid
Decomposed and foul-smelling
- sournessAcidic taste quality
- ranknessOffensive odor quality
- rottennessState of decay
foulness · tainting · decomposition · fermentation · souring · curdling · putrescence · fetidness · turning · deterioration
autoxidation
Spontaneous reaction with oxygen
- free radicalsChemically reactive atomic fragments
- polyunsaturatedMultiple double bonds present
- unsaturated fatsLipids with incomplete hydrogen bonding
off-flavors · aldehydes · ketones · malondialdehyde · catalysis · enzymatic · triglycerides · fatty acids · lipolysis · oleic
musty
Stale from dampness
flat · papery · oxidized · degraded · tired · faded · dried-out · gone off
disgust
Intense physical aversion
- revulsionIntense physical disgust
- nauseaPre-vomiting stomach discomfort
- aversionIntense dislike or repugnance
distaste · loathing · repugnance · off-putting · unpalatable · inedible · recoil · gagging · sour smell · acrid
antioxidants
Substances counteracting oxidative damage
- preservativesDecay-preventing substances
- shelf-lifePeriod before spoilage
- refrigerationHeat removal for preservation
vacuum-packing · stabilizers · airtight containers · vitamin E · ascorbic acid
- bad smellsmalodor, stench, reek, stink, bad smell
- Deteriorationdecay, rot, degradation, deterioration, corrosion
- filthdirt, grime, dirty, filthy, muck
- food spoilagerot, mold growth, spoilage, staleness, decomposition
- smellssmell, aroma, scent, fragrance, perfume
- Food Sciencefood science, enzymes, carbohydrates, proteins, pH