The way food tastes in your mouth—whether delicious or not—is influenced by several factors, including flavor, smell, temperature, and texture. While our taste buds detect whether something is sweet, sour, salty, bitter, or umami, the overall flavor is also shaped by aromas picked up by the nose.

At St. Lawrence High School & Junior College, Grade 4 students explored these concepts in a hands-on lesson titled “Taste Our Food,” as part of their Environmental Studies (EVS) curriculum.

During this engaging session, students learned about the essential roles of the tongue, teeth, and saliva in detecting food flavors. They discovered how these parts of the body work together to help us bite, chew, and fully experience the taste of food. The lesson was brought to life through real-world experiences, as students were given various types of food to taste and analyze.

The primary goal of this activity was to help students understand the importance of the tongue, saliva, and teeth as vital components of our bodies. By experiencing these concepts firsthand, they gained a deeper appreciation for how our senses contribute to the enjoyment of food.