Have you ever been watching a cooking program and wanted to taste the wonderful food on your television? Whether it's observing chefs battling it out on MasterChef or listening to your favourite youtuber in the kitchen, cooking programs hold an important place in our hearts. However, what if you could actually taste it rather than just see it? Well, scientists have now cracked it!

A group of researchers at Ohio State University has invented an amazing device that can make individuals taste food remotely—even on a television screen. Their research was published in the journal Science Advances, and it may revolutionize the way we experience food forever!

How does the device work?

This new technology has special sensors that "catch" the flavor of food in electrical signals. These signals are then transmitted to a small device, which reproduces the flavors with special chemicals.

The last step is where the magic occurs! A small device worn on a person's lower teeth releases these chemicals into their mouth in the form of gels. These gels enable them to taste the original flavors of the food, so it feels like they're actually tasting what's on their screen.

What types of flavors can it produce?

The device can replicate simple flavors, including:

Sweet (such as chocolate or candy)

Salty (like chips or pretzels)

Sour (like lemons or vinegar)

Bitter (like coffee or dark chocolate)

Umami (a savory taste found in foods like cheese, mushrooms, and meat)

On the test, 16 individuals used the device to determine whether it was working. They indicated that it was able to accurately simulate various flavors, even combining them at times. Some testers were even able to tell what kind of food they were "tasting," for example, baked foods, fish, or fried foods. The intensity of the taste also varied, which made the experience more real.

What else can this device be used for?

While this device is a mouth-watering delight for foodies, researchers believe that the device has many other practical applications apart from tasting food on screen.

Here are some of its other potential uses:

Video games – Enhancing gaming with realism by allowing users to "taste" foods their game avatars consume.

Online shopping – Tasting food before making purchases online!

Remote learning – Educating students on food and flavors in a more engaging manner.

Weight control – Assisting individuals to taste without ingesting real calories.

Medical application – Researchers feel that this device may assist patients with head injuries or those who have lost their ability to taste.

This technology is infancy, but the potential is intriguing. If refined, it would revolutionize the way we engage with food in entertainment, medicine, and even everyday life. Who knows? One day, we may not only be viewing cooking shows—perhaps we'll be tasting them as well!

Would you experiment with a device that allows you to taste food from a screen?

You might also be interested in - Student creates AI tool to pass coding interviews, sparks 'cheating' debate