How do taste buds recognize different flavors?

Taste buds are clusters of cells on the tongue and in the mouth that respond to chemicals dissolved in saliva. Different receptor cells are tuned to different taste qualities, such as sweetness, bitterness, or the savory umami taste linked to glutamate. When activated, they send signals through nerves to the brain, which combines them with smell, texture, and temperature to create flavor. That is why food tastes dull when you have a blocked nose. Taste helps the body seek energy and avoid potentially harmful substances.