Halloween Science

Halloween is fast approaching and we know exactly what’s on your mind – which is the best apple for apple bobbing?

Turns out scientists – and a few supermarket chains – have also been wondering whether a Granny Smith or Golden Delicious will be easier to pluck out of the water. Well we can tell you…it’s neither.

Professor Frank Smith from University College London has developed a formula using mouth size and texture to identify the ideal circumference, diameter and weight of an apple used in the traditional Halloween game.

His equation: D = 3 x (2 + T?2) x M / (10 x T)

Where D is diameter, T is typical texture of an apple and M is average mouth size.

So what did he discover? The British Zari apple is the best for bobbing. It has the optimum buoyancy in water – meaning more of the surface is exposed when bobbing – and the perfect density and texture.

“Apple colour may not matter in itself, but the skin toughness or texture is critical,” Smith said, who carried out the research on behalf of Sainsbury’s. “A soft skin can lean to excess bouncing and therefore less efficient bobbing, while a hard skin may mean an apple is difficult to bite into.”

But Morrisons have challenged Smith’s finding. They’ve also carried out their own research into apple bobbing.

Their formula: B = (BU + S) x (C + BI)

Where B is bobability, BU is buoyancy, S is size, C is colour and BI is biteability.

They concluded Gala apples were the best due to their “floatiness”, thinish skin and firm but fruit flesh. How very scientific!

While British scientists have been busying themselves with apples, our American counterparts have been more concerned with candy. Researchers at the University of Alberta found that – although good things come in small packages – we always eat more sweets when they’re individually wrapped.

Jennifer Argo found that those consumption behaviours change when it comes to treats like chocolate and sweets in smaller packages. The smaller package seems to give consumers a false sense of security, as they were consuming fewer calories than a regular-sized pack.

“The consumers are basically saying ‘this package is going to protect me; it’s going to help me archive my goal’ and so they relinquish control to the package,” Argo said.

Her advice? Buy regular-sized packets and exercise portion control. She also found distracting participants meant they don’t overeat.

With the seductive call of leftover Halloween candies just around the corner, Argo says the age old adage of “watch what you eat” might not be a bad idea.