Comparison of taste thresholds in selected Canadian and Peruvian populations

Taste detection thresholds for the four primary tastes were determined in comparable urban populations in Arequipa, Peru and Winnipeg, Canada. Detection thresholds for the Peruvians were 0.0010 mM for quinine sulphate (bitterness), 1.8 mM for sodium chloride (saltiness), 0.0705 mM for citric acid (sourness), and 21.7 mM for glucose (sweetness). Canadian thresholds were not significantly different for quinine sulphate (0.0013 mM), or for sodium chloride (1.3 mM), but were significantly lower for glucose (14.0 mM), and citric acid (0.0423 mM). Women were more sensitive than men to saltiness and sourness for both cultural groups. Food selection data revealed that the Peruvians had much higher exposures to lemons, lemonade and candy, and which might be related to the higher Peruvian thresholds for sour and sweet tastes.