Flavor Bites: Dimethyl Sulfide

Dimethyl sulfide (FEMA# 2746, CAS# 75-18-3) (F-1) smells of boiled cabbage.a Now, I quite like boiled cabbage but even I have to admit that such an odor description hints at a relatively restricted range of uses. However, in practice the exact opposite is true. Dimethyl sulfide is potentially one of the most useful raw materials available to flavorists. It has a unique character and is extraordinarily difficult to replace. The closest alternative is dimethyl disulfide (FEMA# 3536, CAS# 624-92-0), which is less volatile but adds a rather dirty note to the cabbage character and has a much more restricted range of useful applications.

Click to download the complete article.

More in Ingredients