Supertaster
Supertaster
Supertaster (/ˈsuːpərˌteɪstər/) is a term used to describe individuals who have a heightened sense of taste, particularly in relation to the bitterness of certain foods and drinks.
Etymology
The term "supertaster" was first coined by Linda Bartoshuk, a psychologist specializing in the genetic variation of taste perception. The prefix "super-" is derived from the Latin super meaning "above", and "taster" from the Old English tastere meaning "one who tastes".
Definition
A supertaster is a person who experiences the sense of taste with far greater intensity than average. Some researchers believe this heightened sense of taste may be due to a higher concentration of fungiform papillae, the taste buds that recognize bitter, sweet, and umami flavors.
Related Terms
- Taste: The sensation produced when a substance in the mouth reacts chemically with taste receptor cells located on taste buds.
- Taste bud: A small organ on the tongue that allows humans to perceive different tastes.
- Fungiform papillae: Mushroom-shaped projections on the tongue, often containing taste buds, that are involved in detecting the five elements of taste perception: bitter, sweet, sour, salty, and umami.
- Umami: One of the five basic tastes, alongside sweet, sour, bitter, and salty. It has been described as savory and is characteristic of broths and cooked meats.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Supertaster
- Wikipedia's article - Supertaster
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