Taste buds are small sensory organs located on the tongue that help us experience different flavors. Each taste bud contains specialized cells that detect five basic tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami. When we eat, these taste buds send signals to the brain, allowing us to enjoy and identify the flavors of our food. In addition to taste, our sense of smell plays a crucial role in how we perceive flavors. When we chew food, aromas travel to our nose, enhancing the overall tasting experience. This combination of taste and smell is why food can seem bland when we have a cold and our nose is blocked.