The formation of pyrazines in the Maillard reaction of L-ascorbic acid (ASA) with L-glutamic acid (Glu)/L-aspartic acid (Asp) is influenced by reaction temperature and reaction time. Our studies indicate that pyrazines are not formed in both model systems until the reaction temperature reaches 120 • C. The model systems involving ASA and Glu show increased formation of 2,5-dimethylpyrazine and 2-ethyl-3-methylpyrazine with increasing temperature and an increased formation of 2-ethyl-3-methylpyrazine with reaction time. In model systems where ASA reacted with Asp, the formation of 3-ethyl-2,5-dimethylpyrazine and 3,5-diethyl-2-methyl-pyrazine increased with increasing temperature and the formation of 3-ethyl-2,5-dimethylpyrazine, 3,5-diethyl-2-methylpyrazine, and 2-ethyl-6-methylpyrazine increased with reaction time. These results provide information on potential mechanisms in the formation of pyrazine compounds and could provide guidelines in the thermal processing of foods containing ASA.