Taste bud sensitivity

Individual differences in taste perception

Taste can be defined differently; the term is changing as more research is coming out. My previous blog on texture, aroma, taste, and mouthfeel gives an overview of taste. I also talk about other sensory evaluations that all work together to give us flavor.

Today, I will focus on taste and how it relates to flavor. I’ll explore topics like threshold of substances, how it relates to diabetes, and taste bud health. All these factors lead to a difference in taste sensation between individuals.

supertasters vs. nontasters

This week I thought it would be interesting to switch to a topic that affects our taste: supertasters vs. nontasters:

Image credit: Leite’s Culinaria

According to leitesculinaria.com, supertasters have strong bitter taste in their mouth: “Testing proceeded without incident until a horribly bitter solution called 6-n-propylthiouracil, PROP for short, was washed on my tongue. It was so bitter, I had to lean over the sink, nauseated.