Great Thread!
I found this and some other interesting tidbits
here.
Quote:
Factors affecting taste perception
Many factors affect taste perception, including:
- Aging
- Color/vision impairments
- Hormonal influences
- Genetic variations; see Phenylthiocarbamide
- Oral temperature
- Drugs and chemicals
- Natural Substances (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miracle_fruit)
- CNS Tumors (esp. Temporal lobe lesions) and other neurological causes
- Plugged noses
- Zinc deficiency
It is also important to consider that flavor is the overall, total sensation induced during mastication (e.g. taste, touch, pain and smell). Smell (olfactory stimulation) plays a major role in flavor perception.
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Zinc eh? Gotta go take a multivitamin...
That tastes like Umami.
