How does the sense of taste develop?
For your child, the social environment and the food culture are decisive for how the sense of taste develops. Likes and dislikes for certain foods are learned over time. While in some countries insects are considered a delicacy, many Europeans find the mere thought of them unpleasant. In the early years, children are under the special influence of their parents and siblings. The role model function that the family assumes is formative for the child’s diet. If you want your child to eat a lot of healthy things like fruit and vegetables, it is advisable to set an example. If you eat a lot of sweets and chips every day, this is less likely to encourage your child to eat healthily snacks delivery in Singapore.
It is not until the age of six to seven months that your baby develops a preference for salty foods. The exact time varies from child to child. Towards the end of the first year of life, acidic and bitter foods are no longer consistently rejected. Acidic foods in particular often make your baby’s lips purse at first. In the course of the second year of life, your child will already develop preferences for certain foods. The sense of smell and taste are closely linked.
Is taste innate?
A genetic preference for sweet foods is innate because sweet foods are quick sources of energy. Natural toxins, on the other hand, rarely taste sweet but rather bitter, which is why children in their first year of life have such a strong aversion to bitter foods. Non-toxic, ripe fruits usually taste particularly sweet and juicy. The rejection of sour or bitter foods can be justified by the fact that they may already be spoiled, unripe or poisonous. A salty taste indicates minerals in a food, whereas the umami taste is mainly found in animal, protein-rich foods.
