Sour may be the oldest taste

boing
1

Originally published at: Sour may be the oldest taste | Boing Boing

…

2 Likes
2

We definitely don’t avoid sour. Kids love it, chimpanzees will devour lemons. Read the book linked below – it posits that our current wiring for sour is partly to lead us to safely-fermented things like wine, pickles, yogurt, certain preserved meats, etc. Badly-fermented stuff isn’t sour.

5 Likes
3

Interesting. I’d have thought that bitter was older.

2 Likes
4

I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that whatever research this is based on has been grossly simplified and misrepresented.

3 Likes
5

So humans can understand it, you may be on to something…

3 Likes
6

Fun fact: “sour” is the flavor of protons

Acids are rich in positive hydrogen ions – which are single protons without any electrons. Cells on your tongue detect those hydrogen ions. And that indicates the presence of an acidic/sour substance

7 Likes
7

Mmmm…acetic acid
Mmmm…aaaaaaahhhhh!: hydrofluoric acid

8

Actually, I suspect HF wouldn’t immediately taste of anything, or even really hurt, as it kills your nerves on contact and starts to spread through your body decalcifying your bones and disrupting your biochemistry.

9

Mmmmm: acid

2 Likes
10

This topic was automatically closed after 5 days. New replies are no longer allowed.