Tag: Sixth taste

For centuries, the human tongue was believed to perceive only five basic tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami. But a 2016 study published in the journal *Chemical Senses* uncovered evidence that humans can, in fact, taste starch, suggesting the existence of a sixth fundamental taste sensation. This discovery challenges long-held assumptions about carbohydrate perception and adds a new layer to our understanding of human food intake.

For over a century, scientists believed our tongues could detect only five basic tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami. However, new research suggests that our palate is far more complex, begging the question: what is the sixth taste and what does it mean for our understanding of flavor?

In 2015, researchers at Purdue University proposed that fat should be considered the sixth basic taste, naming it 'oleogustus'. This discovery provides a long-awaited scientific answer to the question, "What is the taste of fat called?" and distinguishes the unique flavor of fatty acids from the familiar sensation of creaminess or richness.