tastebud
Tongue's sensing organ
Tastebuds are the small sensory organs on the tongue and elsewhere in the mouth that detect flavors—sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami.
The word is often used figuratively to refer to someone's flavor preferences or palate: My tastebuds crave something spicy.
When food is described as pleasing or offending your tastebuds, it means you find it delicious or unpleasant.
Also spelled as two words: taste bud.
Perceived stimulus or phenomenon
- detectNotice or discover
- perceiveBecome conscious of
- savorEnjoy with full attention
- mouthfeelOral texture perception
aftertaste · palate · sensitivity · threshold · adaptation · saturation · intensity · recognition
Small tissue protrusions
- tongueOral muscle for taste
- epitheliumTissue covering body surfaces
- receptorSignal-receiving molecule
- chemoreceptorSensory unit detecting chemicals
gustatory · sensory · neurons · afferent · transduction · signal · microvilli · foliate
Casual term for epicure
- epicureLover of fine food
- connoisseurExpert in matters of taste
- gastronomeCulinary connoisseur
- gourmandExcessive food lover
sommelier · chef · degustation · pairing · seasoning · spice
sensation
Perceived stimulus or phenomenon
mouthfeel · aftertaste · palate · sensitivity · threshold · adaptation · saturation · intensity · recognition · discrimination
papillae
Small tissue protrusions
- tongueOral muscle for taste
- epitheliumTissue covering body surfaces
- receptorSignal-receiving molecule
chemoreceptor · gustatory · sensory · neurons · afferent · transduction · signal · microvilli · foliate · saliva
sweet
Tasting of sugar
umami · savory · tangy · spicy · zesty · piquant · minty · fruity · citrus · chocolatey
foodie
Casual term for epicure
- epicureLover of fine food
- connoisseurExpert in matters of taste
- gastronomeCulinary connoisseur
gourmand · sommelier · chef · degustation · pairing · seasoning · spice
tastebudnose
Olfactory facial organ
photoreceptor · ear · cochlea · retina · mechanoreceptor