Ethnicity may play role in taste perception, studies claim Ethnicity may play a role in how sensitive a person is to the bitter taste found in foods such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts and dark chocolate, as two studies demonstrate that Danish and Chinese people experience this taste differently owing to a difference on the tongue surfaces of these two groups.
For several years, researchers have known that women are generally better than men at tasting bitter flavours. Now, two studies from the University of Copenhagen suggest that Chinese people are better at discerning bitter tastes than Danish participants, owing to an anatomical difference on the tongue surfaces of these two groups.
Ideas, Inventions And Innovations
Kids Prefer Mealworms to Grasshoppers When Its Comes To Eating Bugs
Insects are a sustainable, climate-friendly food source. But what will it take for us to begin eating them? 188 Danish 11- and 12-year-old children have rolled and eaten their own mealworm and grasshopper fortified oatmeal balls as part of a University of Copenhagen research project. The project aims to explore what it will take to shift our eating habits in a more climate friendly direction. The experiment demonstrates that some insects have a greater yuck factor than others and that mealworms might be our best bet for an insect-protein rich dietary future.
Danes are not as good as Chinese at discerning bitter tastes, studies show
Two studies from the University of Copenhagen show that Danes aren t quite as good as Chinese at discerning bitter tastes. The research suggests that this is related to anatomical differences upon the tongues of Danish and Chinese people.
For several years, researchers have known that women are generally better than men at tasting bitter flavours. Now, research from the University of Copenhagen suggests that ethnicity may also play a role in how sensitive a person is to the bitter taste found in for example broccoli, Brussels sprouts and dark chocolate. By letting test subjects taste the bitter substance PROP, two studies demonstrate that Danish and Chinese people experience this basic taste differently. The reason seems to be related to an anatomical difference upon the tongue surfaces of these two groups.
A matter of taste: tongue differences shape our palate
If it means we get more dishes to enjoy, I’m for it!
New research at the University of Copenhagen found that Danes can’t perceive bitter taste as well as Chinese individuals. This seems to come down to anatomic differences on the surface of the tongue between these two groups. The findings showcase how ethnicity can influence our enjoyment of food, but may also showcase how our natural differences in perception can help give rise to cultural preferences.
Image via Pixabay.
We’ve known for a while now that not everybody perceives tastes the same. Women, for example, are better at picking up bitter flavors than men. New research suggests that ethnicity can also play a role in our sensitivity to bitter taste, and thus, our enjoyment of items such as broccoli or dark chocolate.