Abstract In existing flavor research, only the five basic tastes—sour, sweet, bitter, salty, and umami—are universally recognized by the academic community. While fragrance, spiciness, numbness, and astringency have been mentioned in some studies, they have not yet been incorporated into a unified, systematic classification. Moreover, key sensory experiences such as the original flavor of ingredients, wok hei (the smoky aroma from cooking utensils), the richness of flavor, and refreshing sensory pleasure have long remained in a theoretical vacuum. This study, by integrating the five universally recognized basic tastes and four scattered flavor dimensions, originally proposes and systematically constructs the four core dimensions of "Yuan (Original), Huo (Wok Hei), Chun (Richness), and Shuang (Refreshment)", ultimately forming the **Thirteen-Dimensional Flavor Realm (TFR) · Universal Global Flavor System**, achieving a breakthrough in flavor dimensions from fragmentation to systematization, and from incompleteness to comprehensiveness. Current research has significant limitations: at the theoretical level, represented by scholars like Smith, studies on basic tastes are mostly confined to quantitative analysis from a biomedical perspective, divorced from culinary practice and cultural context. At the application level, domestic research focuses on the flavor-forming mechanisms of single tastes (e.g., Yang Dongting et al.’s analysis of flavor peptides), while international research emphasizes sensory quantification of specific cuisines (e.g., Dürr P’s deconstruction of Western food flavors). Neither has established a systematic, universal framework that integrates "physiological mechanisms, cultural adaptation, and practical application". This study clarifies the boundaries and synergistic logic of each dimension through theoretical tracing, and conducts empirical verification using classic dishes from nine major cuisines (including Chinese, Western, and Japanese) and representative cases of globally processed foods and beverages, fully confirming the system’s cross-regional and full-scenario adaptability. The findings indicate that the thirteen flavor dimensions can comprehensively cover the positive flavor expressions of global culinary practices and the food industry, filling the academic gap in a universal global flavor framework. It builds an interdisciplinary research bridge between "sensory science, culinary practice, food culture, and the food industry", providing actionable theoretical support for relevant fields and demonstrating the system’s universal value and practical empowerment significance. Update 1 (Beijing Time, 14:30, 2026-02-23) This paper is an independent work outside the author’s main thesis release roadmap, positioned as a dessert during the voting period for Side Project 2. You may have noticed that the term "dessert" here is a pun: It means the paper is less important compared to the main theses; It is a genuine academic dessert – as this is a fundamental theoretical paper in the food field. :) Attached: Future Thesis Release Roadmap (from previous papers) 3 upcoming theses will be previewed at all times; voting only determines the release order, not the existence of the theses The First Spark Guaranteed Human Victory in Human-Machine Game Theory – Published (doi: 10.5281/zenodo.18339379) Side Project 1 (Communication Field) CEC (Convergent-Explosive Communication) Theory – Published (doi: 10.5281/zenodo.18721306) Side Project 2 – Vote for One (3rd Thesis) A: A brand-new fundamental/theoretical discipline (refined from CEC Theory) B: A fundamental theoretical paper shaping the next 50–100 years of AI research (an irreplaceable core principle) The Bonfire A brand-new game theory (an upgraded new discipline in game theory, not a branch) Side Project 3 – Vote for One (5th Thesis) The second round of voting will launch after the release of the 4th thesis; only the release order is determined, not the existence A: Applied paper on a subfield of the new game theory B: The Second Communication Theory (complementary to the first, with stronger universality) Voting Mechanism Participation Method Click the download button of the corresponding paper to cast your vote. The download buttons for the derivative papers of Guaranteed Human Victory in Human-Machine Game Theory serve as an exclusive interaction channel between the author and readers: ✅ Vote for A → Visit and click the download button of Positive Game (doi: 10.5281/zenodo.18338725) ✅ Vote for B → Visit and click the download button of Reverse Game (doi: 10.5281/zenodo.18339072) Voting Period the author’s research progress will advance steadily along the established roadmap, and all 0-to-1 fundamental theoretical content will be fully presented in the end. How to Accelerate the Release of Theses The core logic of Positive-Sum Game and CEC Theory runs through the entire research: Readers' browsing, downloading and sharing are a sincere two-way communication, interaction and resonance with the author, as well as the core driving force to accelerate the release of the main theses, forming a tacit positive-sum game between the author and readers. Even though the new game theory has not been officially released, readers are already experiencing, feeling and participating in this core ideology; the official release of the new game theory will come when the empirical closed loop of all current research is completed. Postscript I already know your choice, but I won’t say it now. You know I know, and that is my game theory. Cast your vote for the thesis you most want to read first with peace of mind – this only decides the release order, not the existence of the theses. Both 0-to-1 fundamental theoretical works will eventually be fully presented to the world. Update 2 (Beijing Time 15:30 2026-02-23) In addition, as a fundamental systematic paper in the field of food flavor, Thirteen-Dimensional Flavor Realm: A Universal Global Flavor System for Addressing Core Industry Pain Points — Research on Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Practical Empowerment Based on Multi-Sensory Integration has significantly higher communication potential and practical value than Guaranteed Human Victory in Human-Machine Game Theory and CEC (Convergent-Explosive Communication) Theory. The core reason is that food flavor is a universally perceivable theme with strong industrial demand and a low understanding threshold. Its theoretical system can be directly applied to catering, food industry, culinary education and other scenarios, reaching a wider audience and easier to break through circles. It fully conforms to the definition of "high-value, high-diffusion, strongly implementable" achievements in my CEC Theory. Additional note: A draft of this paper was completed long ago; it was only refined and officially published today. I still have several other such fundamental interdisciplinary drafts. As an independent researcher driven by personal interest, I also truly love food — this is one of the key motivations for writing this paper. Whenever original inspiration arises, I record and systematically develop it. Therefore, every reading, share and support from you is the most direct encouragement for my research. Meanwhile: This paper is an independent work outside the author’s main research roadmap. If any scholars, catering practitioners, Chinese or foreign enterprises, research institutions, renowned restaurants, hotels or other catering-related institutions within mainland China wish to cooperate after reading this paper, please contact me via email: Relike.zhou@outlook.com As an independent researcher and emerging scholar, I currently lack stable research support and live under financial pressure, so I must prioritize solving basic living needs. For this reason, I only accept cooperation invitations from institutions within mainland China. All cooperation must fully cover travel, research, food tasting and other related expenses, with appropriate remuneration preferred, to support the continuation of my original research. Of course, beyond utilitarian cooperation, I deeply love food. If invited, I will experience every flavor with genuine enjoyment. We need not be limited to a working relationship — we can also become friends beyond utility, connected by food and ideas. This is the true meaning of my Positive-Negative Game Theory and Positive-Sum Game: not only the pursuit of benefit, but also sincere connection and resonance between people. Special note: The systematic framework of this paper was constructed through recipe analysis, food video review, and academic literature research. However, further in-depth verification of flavor dimensions, system optimization and theoretical iteration must rely on my own on-site tasting and personal experience. Just as one can never truly know the taste of an apple without biting into it, only real sensory experience can inspire genuine insight and support the continuous creation of high-quality, implementable original theoretical achievements.
Relike Zhou (Mon,) studied this question.