Flavor Quote by Mary Roach
““Flavor is a combination of taste (sensory input from the surface of the tongue) and smell, but mostly it’s the latter. Humans perceive five tastes—sweet, bitter, salty, sour, and umami (brothy)—and an almost infinite number of smells. Eighty to ninety percent of the sensory experience of eating is olfaction.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers, Mary Roach, 2003
Taste is largely determined by smell; most of what we experience while eating comes from olfactory input.
In simple terms: Smell shapes most of our eating experience.
Key Takeaway
Pay attention to aromas for better flavor.
Themes
sensory perception
taste
smell
food science
Mood
curious
educational
analytical
Type
informative
scientific
explanatory
When to use this quote
- cooking
- wine tasting
- food marketing
- dietary choices
Key Concepts
olfaction
gustation
neuroscience
Questions to Reflect On
- How does scent influence your food choices?
- Can you enhance meals by focusing on smell?
A Different Perspective
Aroma can be altered by environment, affecting perception.
