British scientists have developed an innovative device called “e-Taste” capable of digitally recreating and sharing flavours remotely within seconds. This breakthrough technology could significantly enhance virtual and augmented reality experiences, though it currently cannot replicate spicy or fatty taste sensations. Here are all of the other important details that you would need to know about this mind-boggling new technology.
You May Soon Be Able To Taste Food In Games Via ‘e-Taste’
According to an article that was recently published by The Guardian, the system works through two key components. First, an “electronic tongue” analyses five taste chemicals in liquidised food or drink samples. Next, a delivery device that uses electromagnetic pumps to recreate these flavours through an edible gel.
The technology precisely controls the delivery of glucose (sweet), citric acid (sour), sodium chloride (salty), magnesium chloride (bitter) and glutamate (umami) to specific regions of the tongue via a straw-like outlet.
Researchers from Ohio State University conducted several trials to test the system’s effectiveness. In one experiment, volunteers successfully identified different sour intensities with 70 per cent accuracy. More impressively, participants correctly matched flavour combinations representing lemonade, cake, fried egg, coffee and fish soup with nearly 87 per cent accuracy.
How This Will Transform Major Aspects Of Our Lives
The potential applications extend far beyond entertainment. The researchers suggest e-Taste could revolutionise online shopping, remote education, weight management programmes, sensory testing and physical rehabilitation.
It could also enable “virtual food adventures” and enhance biomedical research by allowing precise investigation of human taste perception. Previous attempts faced numerous challenges, including the limitations of direct electrical stimulation and the complex arrangement of taste buds.
Professor Marianna Obrist from University College London praised the research as “a compelling integration of taste sensations to enrich digital experiences.” Despite its impressive capabilities, the technology requires further refinement before widespread adoption, particularly to incorporate those missing taste dimensions of spiciness and fattiness that remain beyond its current capabilities.
This development represents a significant step forward in multisensory digital communication.
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First Published: March 02, 2025 4:02 PM