Expert: Walter Hintz - 1/20/2007

Question
What define the flavor we taste in the tongue? assuming we all taste the same the same flavour as each other.

Answer
Hi Rambo
Taste and flavor are not the same thing.  There are four different chemical receptors on the tongue that determine salty,sour,sweet and bitter.  Flavor is a combination of taste and smell.  Hold you nose and eat an onion and you will not detect the onion flavor.  Our four tastes are the same for everyone but flavors can vary with the individuals because the ability to taste some chemicals and not others is hereditary