Question

Flavour is -

• A. Aroma only
• B. Taste only
• C. Smell only
• D. Aroma + Taste

Hint:

When we have a common cold, our nasal passages are congested, blocking retro-nasal olfaction (aroma).
As a result, food seems "tasteless" or bland, which is actually a loss of "flavour" perception, while basic tastes sensed by the tongue remain intact.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Flavour is a sensory impression of food or other substances, determined primarily by the chemical senses of taste and smell.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Flavour is a multi-sensory synthesis:
- Taste: Sensed by chemical receptors (taste buds) located on the tongue, responding to non-volatile soluble molecules (sweet, salty, sour, bitter, umami).
- Aroma (or retro-nasal smell): Sensed by olfactory receptors in the nasal cavity when volatile compounds travel from the back of the mouth during mastication and swallowing.
Therefore, flavor is biologically defined as the combination of aroma and taste.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct option is (D).