There are several creative ways to describe the taste of water. The taste of water may keep changing depending upon the dissolvents present in the same.
But, can humans taste water? In fact, does water have a flavor? And what exactly are the creative ways to describe water taste? In this article, we find it all.
Does water really has no taste or is it just the human inability to not perceive the flavor of ordinary water? It is all about chemical signals that get converted into the electrical ones and are further interpreted by the brain. The human tongue has papillae (small and fleshy projections) that contain taste receptors. These transmit all the flavor related information to the central nervous system. Water doesn't really trigger any of those receptors, hence there is no taste exhibited.
Ion channels present on our tongues do not react with the water molecules. Therefore, no taste is perceived when we drink water. Chemicals are carried to the taste receptors with the help of saliva which itself is 99% water. Hence the receptors do not get any flavor. And to your surprise, according to several studies, rats along with some insects actually know what water tastes like.
Creative Ways To Describe Water Taste
There are several different tastes that water can have due to one or the other reasons. Here are they:
#1. Wet Dog
What does this water taste like? Water that might be tasting or smelling like a wet dog results from plumbing corrosion, the presence of organic substances or chemical treatments.
#2. Pencil Shavings
Yes, even this is one of the creative ways to describe water taste. A flavor that's like pencil shaving smell results from plastic pipes that dissolve antioxidants in the water flowing through them. The only way to get rid of that taste is to get rid of the pipes.
#3. Bitter And Medicinal
Such a taste arises due to the presence of copper or zinc in the water because of corrosion or other dissolvents. Even the taste of pure water is bitter and somewhat unpleasant. Bottled water contains such a taste that makes it easier for people to differentiate between ordinary and pure water.
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#4. Metallic
A metallic taste of water results from manganese and iron presence. These aren't really harmful to the health but over the time can definitely cause minor issues.
#5. Salty
In case of high chloride levels naturally present in the water, it can taste salty and become undrinkable. Sodium content also alters the taste of water. Saltiness may also arise from a sudden sewage leak into the water.
#6. Earthy, Fishy, Dirty Snd Moldy
This taste arises due to water treatment, algae presence, individual sink impurities and/ or bacterial growth in the water.
#7. Bleach, Chlorine, And Chemical
To disinfect the water supply, chlorine is used at times which changes the taste of water. Water supply systems make use of some or the other kind of chemicals to ensure that the water gets treated for safe drinking. Hence the taste gets altered.
(Image Courtesy: Runner's World)
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