Taste adaptation: the case of the wandering zero

Abstract
Summary: Some recent developments in taste psychophysics are reviewed. The zero (level of adaptation) for taste appears to vary with salivary content, which in turn varies with physiological changes and any residual taste stimulus that has recently been placed in the mouth. The effect of the interstimulus procedure, whether mouthrinsing or expectoration, on the amount of residual stimulus is discussed and is seen to be important in determining thresholds and intensity measures. The effect of language and criterion on thresholds is also noted. Some psychophysical methods of solving these problems are discussed in relation to food tasting.