I’m a non-taster

No, I didn’t say that I have no taste. I said I’m a non-taster. Here’s what that means.

I joined BzzAgent a few years back. They run campaigns in which you get samples of products, and get to talk about them word of mouth. You have to be up front about beign a BzzAgent as you do this, and you can be completely honest and say that you hate the product if you like. You get coupons to pass out to friends if you like the product.

One of their recent campaigns has been for Tabasco. I love hot food, so I signed on in a heartbeat. Got lots of mini bottles of Tabasco and some coupons, as well as a booklet.

The booklet explains that 2 out of 3 Canadians say that their taste profile is bold. They give you a little test that involves putting blue food coloring on your tongue, placing a paper-hole reinforcement on your tongue, and then couting the little pink circles within the hole. 15 or fewer means you’re a non-taster. 16 to 35 means you’re a taster. 35+ qualifies you as a super-taster.

Non-tasters feel about half the burn of heat versus tasters. And tasters feel about half the heat of super-tasters. That’s why I like it hot.

I also learned the reason for my addiction to heat:

The spice in peppers stimulates the nerve endings in your mouth, fooling your brain into thinking you’re in pain. Your brain then releases endorphins, producing mild euphoria. This hot pepper “high” makes peppers mildly addictive – that’s why many people crave this taste sensation.

That explains a lot, actually.