Introducing oleogustus: Fat ‘confirmed’ as sixth basic taste
Fatty acids have a taste sensation that is distinct from other basic tastes – and this means that fat is the sixth basic taste, said researchers earlier this year.
"The taste component of fat is often described as bitter or sour because it is unpleasant, but new evidence reveals fatty acids evoke a unique sensation satisfying another element of the criteria for what constitutes a basic taste, just like sweet, sour, salty, bitter and umami,” said Professor Richard Mattes of Purdue University – who led the study which was published in the journal Chemical Senses.
