IF YOU don’t understand the appeal of Chinese food, maybe you’re not
experiencing the whole taste of it. Most people can taste all the basic flavours
of salty, sweet, bitter, sour and umami—the taste of monosodium glutamate
that is found in a lot of Far Eastern cooking. But researchers at the Laboratory
of Sensory Neurobiology in Paris have found that some people’s genetic make-up
gives them a defect in their taste receptors for umami (Chemical Senses, vol 27,
p 105). “There are many people who can’t taste glutamate and don’t know. They
just think it tastes salty,” says…
To continue reading, today with our introductory offers
Advertisement
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features

Mind
The relationship recession is even bigger for Gen Z than we thought
News

Technology
Killer robots are here – we must finally decide whether to accept them
Leader

Technology
Quantum computer quickly mines cryptocurrency while using less energy
News

Mind
How to sparkle in conversation with strangers
Comment
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles
1
Fully autonomous drones have killed human soldiers for the first time
2
Why we should all take quantum physics extremely personally
3
Mysterious ‘cold blob’ in the Atlantic suggests the AMOC is weakening
4
What is a ‘normal’ memory slowdown, and when should I worry?
5
How to sparkle in conversation with strangers
6
Vaping after quitting smoking is linked to lung cancer
7
Toy universe shows that time could be a quantum illusion
8
Wildlife thrives in solar farm built on restored peatland
9
Why your brain needs plenty of “Aha!” moments
10
What’s the secret to living well beyond the average life expectancy?