Activity: Taste Test
From the Science in a Box booklet.
There are only four different types of true tastes - sour, sweet, salt and bitter. Approximately 80-90% of what we perceive as "taste" actually is due to the sense of smell. Just think about how dull food tastes when you have a head cold or a stuffed up nose. It is actually smell that lets us experience the complex, mouth watering flavours we associate with our favourite foods.
You’ll Need: Life Savers or other flavoured candies
Work in pairs.
Close your eyes and hold your nose, while a friend feeds you a lifesaver.
You should try to guess what flavour the lifesaver is, without letting go of your nose.
Observations should proceed for a minute or so as the candy dissolves in your mouth.
Is there any change in the taste of the candy from the beginning to the end of the experiment?
Describe the tastes.
Switch and let your friend try.