Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Danish and Chinese Tongues Taste Broccoli and Chocolate Differently
Science Daily ^ | January 5, 2021

Posted on 01/07/2021 8:55:36 PM PST by nickcarraway

Two studies from the University of Copenhagen show that Danes aren't quite as good as Chinese at discerning bitter tastes. The research suggests that this is related to anatomical differences upon the tongues of Danish and Chinese people.

For several years, researchers have known that women are generally better than men at tasting bitter flavours. Now, research from the University of Copenhagen suggests that ethnicity may also play a role in how sensitive a person is to the bitter taste found in for example broccoli, Brussels sprouts and dark chocolate. By letting test subjects taste the bitter substance PROP, two studies demonstrate that Danish and Chinese people experience this basic taste differently. The reason seems to be related to an anatomical difference upon the tongue surfaces of these two groups.

"Our studies show that the vast majority of Chinese test subjects are more sensitive to bitter tastes than the Danish subjects. We also see a link between the prominence of bitter taste and the number of small bumps, known as papillae, on a person's tongue," says Professor Wender Bredie of the University of Copenhagen's Department of Food Science (UCPH FOOD).

A taste of artificial intelligence

Using a new artificial intelligence method, researchers from UCPH FOOD, in collaboration with Chenhao Wang and Jon Sporring of UCPH's Department of Computer Science, analysed the number of mushroom-shaped "fungiform" papillae on the tongues of 152 test subjects, of whom half were Danish and half Chinese.

Fungiform papillae, located at the tip of the tongue, are known to contain a large portion of our taste buds and play a central role in our food and taste experiences. To appreciate the significance of papillae in food preferences across cultures and ethnicities, it is important to learn more about their distribution, size and quantity.

(Excerpt) Read more at sciencedaily.com ...


TOPICS: Food; Science; Weird Stuff
KEYWORDS: broccoli; chinese; denmark

1 posted on 01/07/2021 8:55:36 PM PST by nickcarraway
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

They taste different to me, too.


2 posted on 01/07/2021 9:01:41 PM PST by moonhawk (And then the cock crowed the third time....)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

Broccoli and brussels sprouts are bitter?


3 posted on 01/07/2021 9:20:17 PM PST by IndispensableDestiny
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: moonhawk

if your chocolate tastes like broccoli, you need to switch brands.


4 posted on 01/07/2021 9:24:26 PM PST by Salamander (There's Nothing For It But To Sit And Wait For The Hard Men To Get Me Out....)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

“analyzed the number of mushroom-shaped “fungiform” papillae on the tongues “

For whatever reason, Miley Cyrus popped to mind.


5 posted on 01/07/2021 9:25:56 PM PST by Salamander (There's Nothing For It But To Sit And Wait For The Hard Men To Get Me Out....)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: IndispensableDestiny

If you don’t cook them properly, they are, especially Brussels Sprouts.


6 posted on 01/07/2021 9:33:39 PM PST by skr (May God confound the enemy)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: skr

I’ve eaten both raw. Not bitter to me. Chocolate isn’t bitter to me until it’s up to 70 percent cacao.


7 posted on 01/07/2021 9:48:18 PM PST by IndispensableDestiny
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway
I remember my high school biology teacher passing out pieces of paper soaked in a chemical that was either tasteless or very bitter based on your genetics. I wonder if this is related.

Also, is this a case of individuals either tasting or not tasting the difference in bitter foods with a higher percentage of Chinese being in the taster group, or if the ability to discern these bitter foods is more finely divided?

8 posted on 01/07/2021 9:50:35 PM PST by KarlInOhio (The greatest threat to world freedom is the Chinese Communist Party and Joe Biden is their puppet.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Salamander

Sorry.


9 posted on 01/07/2021 10:08:29 PM PST by nickcarraway
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

As if anyone cares. Good grief. This country truly is lost.


10 posted on 01/07/2021 10:10:06 PM PST by Shortstop7
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

;D


11 posted on 01/07/2021 10:29:40 PM PST by Salamander (There's Nothing For It But To Sit And Wait For The Hard Men To Get Me Out....)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway
The reason seems to be related to an anatomical difference upon the tongue surfaces of these two groups.

This is impossible, because "race" is a "social construct," as the SJWs do not tire of screaming in our faces.

Regards,

12 posted on 01/07/2021 11:54:00 PM PST by alexander_busek (Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

.


13 posted on 01/08/2021 2:38:50 AM PST by redinIllinois (Pro-life, accountant, gun-totin' Grandma - multi issue voter)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Shortstop7
"As if anyone cares. Good grief. This country truly is lost."

You're certainly right. When Trump supporters allow racist posts such as this one, all is lost!

14 posted on 01/08/2021 5:53:07 AM PST by norwaypinesavage (The stone age didn't end because we ran out of stones.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson