Episode

The Mystery of Taste: Beyond Sweet, Sour, Salty & Bitter

Podcast: Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Radio
Published: Jan 16, 2026
Duration seconds: 3033
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Summary

Are humans the only species that loves sour? Does everyone taste bitter the same way? And could there be flavors we can’t even comprehend yet? Emily Kwong and Aaron Scott from NPR’s “Short Wave” join us to explore the amazing science of taste, from the mysteries of salt to why dolphins can’t taste sweet. Plus, chef Khánh-Ly Huynh shares Vietnamese street food from Paris; Adam Gopnik investigates what it takes to become a culinary maestro; and we go to Bangkok for Thai Cashew Chicken. (Originally aired March 23rd, 2023.) Get the recipe for Thai Cashew Chicken here . Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify