What is bitter?

Bitter is a taste that feels sharp and strong, like when you eat something too sour or too spicy.

Imagine you're eating a lemon, sour is one taste, but if you keep eating it, your mouth might feel bitter afterwards. It’s like the lemon says, “I’m not done with you yet!” Bitter can also be like the end of a candy that has been in your mouth for too long, it starts sweet, but then turns bitter.

What makes something bitter?

Some foods naturally have a bitter taste. Think about dark chocolate or coffee, they start strong and feel bitter, but they also can be nice once you get used to them. You might even find bitter in some vegetables, like broccoli or kale.

Bitter is a flavor we learn to love

Sometimes, things that are bitter can become your favorite. Like when you try something new and it feels strange at first, but then you start to enjoy it. So, bitter isn’t always bad, it’s just a taste you need to get used to!

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Examples

  1. A lemon's sour taste is different from the bitterness in coffee.
  2. Bitter chocolate has more bitter taste than sweet chocolate.
  3. Some medicines taste bitter because they contain certain chemicals.

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Categories: Science · taste· chemistry· flavor