Taste is not just a singular sensation but a rich interplay of various sensory inputs. It can be divided into five primary tastes: sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami. food testing lab These tastes are detected by specialized receptors on our taste buds, each responding to specific types of molecules in our food. Beyond these primary tastes, the complexity of flavor arises from a multitude of factors, including aroma, texture, temperature, and even our psychological state.