Each week, KOTA brings a simple, hands‑on science activity that families can try at home. This week’s experiment, conducted in Rapid City, focuses on the science of flavor using the popular candy Skittles.
What the experiment shows
Before you even bite into a Skittle, your eyes are already gathering information that will influence how your brain later interprets the taste. When participants covered the candy so they could not see its color, many reported difficulty identifying the flavor, confirming that visual cues play a role.
However, the experiment makes clear that sight is far less decisive than smell. When participants pinched their noses while tasting the candy, the ability to distinguish flavors dropped dramatically. Even though Skittles emit only a faint scent when sniffed directly, the majority of a candy’s flavor comes from post‑nasal olfaction—the process by which aroma compounds travel from the back of the mouth to the nasal cavity as you chew.
Why smell matters more than taste
Scientists estimate that 80‑90 % of how the brain interprets flavor is due to the sense of smell. The tiny taste buds on the tongue detect basic sensations—sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami—but the nuanced flavors we recognize are largely constructed by the olfactory system.
When you plug your nose, you block both the ability to breathe through the nostrils and the passage of aroma molecules from the mouth to the nasal passages. The result is a muted flavor experience, similar to the way food tastes bland when you have a cold or congestion.
How to try it at home
1. Gather a handful of Skittles and a small bowl.
2. Separate the candies by color, then cover one set with a piece of paper so you cannot see the colors.
3. Taste each candy, first with your nose open, then with your nose pinched shut.
4. Record which flavors you can correctly identify in each condition.
Most participants notice a sharp drop in correct identifications when the nose is pinched, even if they can still see the candy’s color. This simple test illustrates the powerful role of smell in everyday eating.
Takeaway for families
Understanding how our senses work together can spark curiosity in children and encourage scientific thinking at the kitchen table. The experiment also underscores the importance of good nasal health—clear sinuses help us fully enjoy the foods we love.
For more weekly experiments and science tips, visit KOTA’s website or follow the station’s social‑media channels.
Original reporting: KOTA (Gray) – local — read the source article.
