Book 2, Question 71
Why Do Sour Foods Make Us Pucker?
Sour foods, like lemons, contain acid. Your tongue senses the acid, and your face reacts fast. That is why you pucker. A pucker is a reflex, not a choice.
From the book
Page from A Million Whys Book 2
More fun facts
- Scientists say we can taste five basic tastes: salty, sweet, bitter, sour, and umami.
- Lemons, vinegar, and sour gummy candy all share that puckering sour taste.
- For years, scientists hunted for the tiny sensors that let us taste sour.
- In one study, mice missing a certain protein could taste every flavor except sour.
- When those mice were given sour chemicals like citric acid or vinegar, nothing happened.
Sources: Science News Explores
Questions kids ask
What makes lemons sour?
Lemons contain acid, such as citric acid, and our tongues sense acid as sour.