Our topic this Autumn will be Animals including Humans.
Today we carried out an investigation to find out if any of our classmates are supertasters! A supertaster is a person who tastes certain flavours and foods more strongly than other people.
The human tongue is wrapped in taste buds (papillae). These small, pink bumps are covered with taste receptors that help tell your brain what you’re eating. People with more than 35 visible papillae on their tongue are considered 'supertasters' - about 25% of the population!
These supertasters are more sensitive to bitter flavours, such as broccoli. If you think you are a fussy eater, perhaps you just have a more sensitive tongue! However, we strongly recommend counting your papillae before using that excuse at the dinner table though, and here is how:
1) Put a few drops of food colouring onto your tongue
2) Use a magnifying glass and a mirror to examine your papillae and count how many you have, or ask a friend if you can't find a mirror
3) If you have less than 35 you are an average taster, whereas more than 35 means that you are a supertaster - congratulations!
