Published Jul 25, 2022

TASTE BUDDIES: Pucker Up! It's The Science Of Sour

Dive into the intriguing world of taste with Katherine Wu as she unravels the mysteries of sourness, exploring its evolutionary role in vertebrates and the complex chemical reactions it triggers, all colored by a lively and enlightening taste test.

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Dexa/Short Wave

TASTE BUDDIES: Pucker Up! It's The Science Of Sour

Topics covered

Popular Clips

Evolution of Taste

The Mystery of Sour

The Sour Connection

Fish and Taste

Sour Sensations

Episode Highlights

Taste Exploration

Science of Sour

Evolutionary Sourness

Related Episodes

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TASTE BUDDIES: Why Bitter Tastes Better For Some

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TASTE BUDDIES: Umami And The Redemption Of MSG

TASTE BUDDIES: No Sugarcoating How Sweet Affects The Brain

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The Squishy, Slimey Science Of ASMR

The Squishy Science Behind ASMR

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The Joy Of Ice Cream's Texture

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Micro Wave: Scientists Discover GINORMOUS Bacteria

A Taste Of Lab-Grown Meat

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TASTE BUDDIES: Pucker Up! It's The Science Of Sour

Topics covered

Popular Clips

Episode Highlights

Taste ExplorationKatherine Wu, a science writer, explores the complexities of taste, focusing on the enigmatic nature of sourness. She discusses the evolution of taste and the potential for more than the traditional five flavors, highlighting the unique characteristics of sour.

Taste Exploration

Science of SourKatherine Wu joins the Short Wave team to unravel the mysteries of sour taste, exploring the chemical and physiological reactions that sour foods trigger in our mouths. Through a lively taste test, she reveals the complex interactions between acids and our sensory systems.

Science of Sour

Evolutionary SournessKatherine Wu explores the enigmatic origins and evolutionary significance of sour taste in vertebrates. She discusses how this taste might have evolved to help early primates maintain vitamin C levels and its unique perception in animals like fish.

Evolutionary Sourness

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