Scientists Declare 'Fat' the Sixth Taste

And depending on how sensitive you are to it, you could be eating more fat than you realize.

In addition to sweet, salty, bitter, sour, and umami, (or savouriness), tastebuds on the tongue can detect a sixth taste, as well: fat. Researchers at Washington University have discovered that there is a receptor in the tongue called CD36 that can "taste" fat molecules as they pass through the mouth. However, the researchers also found that some people have more of the proteins that produce the receptors than others, making them more sensitive to foods with high fat content. This led them to believe that a person's ability to taste "fat" in their food could impact how much of it they eat. Those with fewer receptors could be more prone to obesity, while those with more might be better able to limit their fat intake. Further, the team found that in animals, at least, eating more and more fatty foods led to less production of CD36, perhaps creating a vicious (but delicious!) cycle of fat intake, but that's just speculation at this point.