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Futureproof Extra: The Evolution of Deliciousness

Some flavour preferences seem to be with us from when we were kids, others develop over time as o...

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07.30 30 Mar 2021


Futureproof Extra: The Evolution of Deliciousness



Share this article

07.30 30 Mar 2021


Some flavour preferences seem to be with us from when we were kids, others develop over time as our palette changes, and then there are some foods, flavours, and tastes that have near universal appeal.

But why did our sophisticated taste receptors first evolve in the first place and what impact could that have had on the course of our evolutionary journey as a whole?

Dr Rob Dunn, Professor of Applied Ecology at North Carolina State University and co-author of ‘Delicious: The Evolution of Flavor and How It Made Us Human’ joined Jonathan to discuss.

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Aroma Bitter Deliciousness Fermentation Flavour Food Fruit Futureproof Futureproof Extra Jonathan Mccrea Neanderthal Newstalk Rob Dunn Salt Smell Sour Spice Sweet Taste Umami

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