Deakin researchers find butter chicken tastes better leftover
Scientists at Deakin University tested a kitchen myth. Only butter chicken tasted better as a day-old dish.
A team at Deakin University set out to test a kitchen myth: do leftovers really taste better? Researchers recruited 65 people to blind-taste fresh dishes.
The researchers compared the fresh dishes to day-old versions of beef lasagna, butter chicken, dhal, and apple crumble. Only butter chicken was clearly preferred as a leftover.
It was chosen in nearly 64 percent of direct comparisons. Dhal, lasagna, and apple crumble showed no real preference either way.
The study suggests sauce-rich dishes like butter chicken may have flavor compounds that shift overnight. These shifts improve the taste.
Structured dishes like lasagna do not show this effect.
- 65 adults
- Participants in main test
- Nearly 64 percent
- Butter chicken preference rate
- 4 of 25 initially ranked
- Dishes tested
- 24 hours refrigerated and reheated
- Storage time
Why it mattersKnowing which leftovers genuinely taste better helps you plan meals. It also helps you avoid wasting food on dishes that taste no different the next day.
AustraliaThe research was conducted by Australian scientists and the findings apply directly to home cooking in Australian kitchens.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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