Hey, Dr. Science-Patterson! How does the tongue distinguish sweet things from sour things or bitter things? Food Lover in Fredericksburg , MD

Dear Food Lover Like a lot of things in the world of natural sciences, this phenomenon is amazing yet quite simple. Your tongue can pick up on the difference between a piece of candy or a salty bite of fish the same way you do. For example, when you put these items in your mouth, you’re able to tell right away what’s sweet and what’s salty, right? The tongue uses the exact same processes (pronounced “pro-cess-ease” like scientists say it).

Please send whatever good science questions you have!

Free version of a picture of a tongue

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