{"product_id":"on-taste","title":"On Taste: In Humans and Other Animals","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThis is a Featured Preorder* for a title releasing on August 25, 2026.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis is what the publisher tells us about this book:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAre there only five tastes, sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami? Why are some so appealing to us while others are what we call acquired tastes? Do other animals perceive tastes in the same way humans do? How did the sense of taste evolve? Should the hotness of chili peppers, the coolness of mint, and the pungency of garlic be considered tastes? What can taste teach us about our health and our environment?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn this book, two leading researchers take readers on a lively journey through the science of taste. Davide Risso and Gabriella Morini trace its evolution across millions of years, ranging from microbes to octopuses through birds and finally humans. They explain how taste receptors allow us to decode the chemical composition of food and distinguish between edible and toxic items. Evolution has given varied species different capabilities, so pandas lack the ability to taste umami and cats do not perceive sweetness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eOn Taste\u003c\/i\u003e also reveals how mosquitoes choose their prey—and why they like some people more than others. Rigorous and accessible, this book shows how taste unlocks the connections between science and culture, letting us understand our foods and our world more richly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHardcover. 112 pages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e* Featured Preorder books earn you an \u003ci\u003eextra \u003c\/i\u003e150 rewards points, good for $5 off a future purchase. If you're not already a member of our rewards program you can \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.kitchenartsandletters.com\/pages\/reward\"\u003e\u003cb\u003elearn more about all the ways to earn points and sign up here.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e It's as simple as creating a store account.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"UCOL","offers":[{"title":"Default","offer_id":41492660715653,"sku":"Davide Risso and Gabriella Morini","price":22.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0297\/5046\/0549\/files\/9780231221290_982da9d7-ba5b-4d11-b66c-db521926a2a5.jpg?v=1768448701","url":"https:\/\/www.kitchenartsandletters.com\/products\/on-taste","provider":"Kitchen Arts \u0026 Letters","version":"1.0","type":"link"}