Taste

Objective:

The objective of this lab is to learn about our sense of taste and how it is different from our sense of flavor

Background on

Our sense of taste is amazing and can be important. Among older individuals a loss of taste can indicate an increase likelihood of death in the coming years. Our sense of taste is created by cell-receptors on the tongue known as taste buds. The taste buds are very interesting they can be broken down into 6 separate types:

• Bitter
• Savory
• Sour
• Salty
• Sweet
• All of the above

These taste buds are wonderful in helping our bodies to identify what we are eating, especially when we are sick and cannot identify flavor of foods easily. The flavor of foods comes from the combination of our sense of taste and our sense of smell. Taste and flavor are two different things and should be treated as such. 

Besides the sense of smell getting involved in flavor we need to think about Spicy as many of us believe this is part of our sense of taste when in fact it is not. Our sense of spice is directly related to our sense of touch, the capzasin and similar chemicals found in spicy foods are detected by our sense of touch receptors on our tongue. The more capzasin the more that the receptors are activated and cause a feeling of burning on the tongue.

Unlike the old belief scientific studies have shown that our taste buds are not isolated to specific parts of the tongue instead each type of taste bud is spread throughout the tongue. The only taste bud that is highly concentrated in one are, but still can be found all over the tongue, is the bitter taste bud which is mainly found at the back of the tongue.

Materials

• Soysauce (savory)
• Lemon juice (sour)
• Salt (salty)
• Arugula (bitter)
• Sugar (sweet)
• Sweet Potato Chips
• Kiwi
• Grapefruit
• Pickles
• 85% Dark Chocolate
• Sample cups
• Pallet cleanser tea (mint, calming, etc…)

Method

Prepare Experiment

1. Setup plates containing each of the samples listed above
2. Make sure to have full glasses of tea for the kids to cleanse their pallets between samples

Run Experiment

1. Tasting each sample individually work one by one through the five main tastes:
1. Bitter
2. Salty
3. Sweet
4. Sour
5. Savory
2. The tasting works by starting with a gently rinse with the pallet cleanser
3. Once the pallet cleanser has been swallowed have the students take a small bite or drink of the sample
4. Once the bite has been taken make sure that the kids have the sample touch all over their tongue
5. Once they have fully tasted the sample have them rinse their mouths with the pallet cleanser
6. Repeat the last few steps until the kids have completed the five main tastes
7. Now set the kids free on tasting some of the different samples
8. Let the kids mix tastes and come up with their own flavors

Analyze Data

Ask the kids about what they taste or feel when they try each thing. Explain to them that like sight everyone tastes in a slightly different way and that although what they are eating is the exact same they may love the taste while their partner may absolutely hate the taste.

Conclusions

We have cell receptors on our tongue that allow us to taste many different things. These receptors are limited but combine with our extensive sense of smell to create our sense of flavor. They also combine with receptors for our sense of touch in order to let us experience spice and extremely strong foods. Although one of the simpler senses it is still amazing and fantastic to experience as much on its own as we can.

Make It Your Own

Think about the main taste bud types. Can you add in any different foods that truly make that taste pop on your tongue?

Extension Activities to do at home

Prepare your own tasting at home for your family. See how each person in your household perceives each taste.