supertaster: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical / Popular Science
Quick answer
What does “supertaster” mean?
A person who experiences taste sensations with much greater intensity than average due to a higher density of taste buds, particularly making certain foods taste unpleasantly bitter.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who experiences taste sensations with much greater intensity than average due to a higher density of taste buds, particularly making certain foods taste unpleasantly bitter.
Someone with a genetically heightened sensitivity to tastes, especially bitterness, often leading to specific food aversions (e.g., to broccoli, coffee, dark chocolate). The term can also be used more loosely to describe someone with a particularly refined or sensitive palate.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The word is used identically in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral/scientific in both, though sometimes used humorously in everyday contexts to describe a picky eater.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both regions, confined to discussions of food science, genetics, or dietary preferences.
Grammar
How to Use “supertaster” in a Sentence
X is a supertaster.Supertaster (noun) + verb (e.g., detects, finds, avoids)The + supertaster + noun (e.g., the supertaster phenomenon)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “supertaster” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- He has supertaster tendencies, which explains his aversion to sprouts.
American English
- Her supertaster status makes drinking black coffee impossible.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in market research for food products targeting specific consumer groups.
Academic
Used in psychology, sensory science, and genetics papers discussing taste perception and individual differences.
Everyday
Used informally to explain why someone dislikes bitter vegetables or certain foods.
Technical
The standard term in sensory evaluation and physiological studies of taste.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “supertaster”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “supertaster”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “supertaster”
- Using it to mean a food critic or gourmet. / Spelling as two words: 'super taster'. / Assuming it is a compliment; for a supertaster, many common foods can taste unpleasant.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is neither good nor bad; it is a genetic trait. It can make eating certain healthy vegetables difficult due to their perceived bitterness, but it may also protect against ingesting toxic substances.
No, it is an innate, genetically determined condition. You are born with it.
Typically via a simple test involving a paper strip impregnated with a bitter compound like PROP (6-n-propylthiouracil) or by counting taste bud density.
A 'non-taster,' who has a lower density of taste buds and is much less sensitive to certain tastes, especially bitterness.
A person who experiences taste sensations with much greater intensity than average due to a higher density of taste buds, particularly making certain foods taste unpleasantly bitter.
Supertaster is usually technical / popular science in register.
Supertaster: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsuːpəˌtɑːstə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsupɚˌteɪstɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a SUPERhero with a cape made of TASTE buds, able to detect the tiniest bitter note in food.
Conceptual Metaphor
TASTE IS INTENSITY / MEASUREMENT (heightened, acute, intense perception).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of a supertaster?