It is a Science in the sense that man is able to isolate, identify, and synthesize the various chemicals found in nature that make up the foods we eat. It is an Art in the sense that man expands upon what is found in nature to create more stable foods, better tasting foods, exotic foods, convenience foods, microwave able foods, ethnic foods, fantasy foods, etc. A flavor creator is a person who works for many years evaluating the multitude of chemicals, both natural and synthetic, essential oils, fruit concentrates, and plant extracts that make up the palette of ingredients available to the flavor chemists, more commonly called a flavorist. Each flavorist will develop a technique unique to each individual. He will have favorite ingredients he works with which will stamp his personality on his finished work.
Flavors are a blend of many ingredients combined in such a way to create specific flavor nuances.
If one is working on a grilled hamburger flavor, the flavorist must know what combination of ingredients make up the grill part of the flavor, and what ingredients will give the meaty hamburger character. The ingredients are then blended, tasted and reblended until the effect the flavorist is looking for has been achieved. The flavor will then be submitted to the customer, who will try the flavor in his product. The flavored product is then evaluated and the flavorist will be made aware of the findings. The flavorist will modify the flavor according to the customer's desire, and the process is repeated until the customer is satisfied.