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Mystery of the Senses: Taste

Eating sustains life. However, our tongues also enable us to taste foods, so we eat the foods we like; and our cultures assign values to foods, so we often eat as part of a ritual. In this episode, series host and naturalist Diane Ackerman explores the biology and the rituals of taste around the world. In France, a master chef divulges his secrets; in Mexico, a family prepares a meal for the Day of the Dead; in a Japanese restaurant, Ackerman looks into why some people consider potentially poisonous fish to be a delicacy; and in Connecticut, a scientist maps our taste buds.

English
  • Originally Aired February 21, 1995
  • Special Position Airs before season 22, episode 6
  • Content Rating United States of America TV-PG
  • Network PBS
  • Special is Critical to Show's Story Yes
  • Created July 21, 2021 by
    Jordanene
  • Modified January 6, 2026 by
    niemasd