[DTND]

> perhaps taste(closely related), we have been unable to tame

Really? How do you think they make the most junk of food still palatable enough that people aren't literally barfing while eating, say, a pizza that doesn't even have real cheese but a mediocre imitation of it? Or things like this : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethyl_methylphenylglycidate used in various cheap industrial food products like ice creams and syrups. Entirely artificial and synthesized imitation of strawberry.

We have deciphered taste down to infinite combinations of various synthetic compounds to replicate, although not to perfection, pretty much any sort of taste, which is why there is a junk food epidemic. People wouldn't be able to gorge themselves onto the road of becoming morbidly obese if artificial flavourings were not up to a decent, although not gourmet-level, standard.

[vincnetas]

There is no such thing as strawberry taste. What you feel is actually strawberry smell. Also apple banana cola etc. These are smells that you feel by eating. Try eating something while holding your nose shut with your hand. According to Wikipedia we have only five tastes:

The sensation of taste includes five established basic tastes: sweetness, sourness, saltiness, bitterness, and savoriness.

[moehm]

Related: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retronasale_Aromawahrnehmung

It's in German, but Google Translator should do. https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=de&tl=en&js=y&ie=U...

[Semirhage]

Here’s the English version: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retronasal_smell