Oreology: this is the science behind eating an Oreo cookie
Did you think scientists and students at technical universities only occupy themselves with complicated matters such as civil engineering, chemical engineering or nanobiology? Well, yes, that too, but every now and then a student simply feels like taking on a hobby project that may not directly lead to improving Formula 1 possibilities powered by solar energy. This student, for example, urgently wanted to invent something that would benefit all the Oreo lovers in the world.
Namely: what is the optimal way to open an Oreo so you don’t end up with one delicious side covered in all the filling and one boring, dry half next to it? See, research into these kinds of life questions helps humanity move forward too, doesn’t it?
Crystal-clear goal
Crystal Owens studies mechanical engineering at one of the most prestigious technical universities in the world: the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States. In her spare time, she set up another study with a team to find out how best to open an Oreo cookie so that you end up with two equal halves with the filling distributed optimally between them.
Using a 3D printer, they recreated the same structure as the cookie (many times over) for ‘trial twists’; all the ways to open the cookie as effectively as possible.
Honest about the results
But conducting scientific research also means acknowledging when something doesn’t work, or when the results achieved are not what was hoped for. After rigorous testing sessions and documentation, they had to admit that the secret to opening an Oreo optimally could not be cracked.
“In virtually all possible twisting configurations, the filling came loose from one half, leaving you with one almost dry half and one with the vast majority of the filling stuck to it. The best result in terms of distribution could only be achieved by mush ing it a little by hand,” Owens explained. She also hopes that other ‘Oreologists’ (and you can count yourself among them if you’re a self-proclaimed big fan of these cookies) can build on this knowledge in further research.
Bright future
So there’s nothing left to do but keep handling them the way you probably always have, with those Oreos. Still, we have great faith in the future, with a generation of scientists on the way who, at the very least, don’t take the easy way out.
Also read:
- This wine is the ultimate pairing with… Oreo cookies!
- Recipe: Oreo-Nutella ice cream
- This simple trick always makes beautifully round cookies
Source: The Kitchn
