Taste perception is the process by which our taste buds detect different flavors in the food we eat. When we eat, tiny receptors on our tongue identify five basic tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami. These tastes help us enjoy our meals and can even signal whether something is safe to eat. Our sense of taste is closely linked to our sense of smell. When we chew food, aromas travel to our nose, enhancing the flavors we perceive. This combination of taste and smell is why food can seem bland when we have a cold, as our ability to enjoy flavors is diminished.