A team from Ohio State University has unveiled an electronic tongue capable of mimicking flavors like fish soup, cake, and lemonade. This device, designed for augmenting virtual reality (VR) experiences, utilizes various sensors to detect real flavors, which are then replicated through the oral application of taste-inducing substances.

The research was published under the lengthy title “A sensor-actuator–coupled gustatory interface chemically connecting virtual and real environments for remote tasting,” informally referred to as the e-Taste system. While the system has shown effectiveness—70% of the participants in a study identified flavors accurately—many experts caution that flavor perception is complex and often requires other sensory inputs, such as smell.

As Professor Alan Chalmers from the University of Warwick pointed out, simply replicating flavors in the mouth may not be sufficient to deliver a comprehensive culinary experience, highlighting the limitations of current technology.

“Next time you have a strawberry, close your nose and eyes,” says Chalmers. “A strawberry is very sour, but it is perceived as sweet because of its aroma and the red color.”

This concept opens up an intriguing future for VR, aimed at enriching the immersive digital experience, but as studies progress, we may see enhancements that allow for a more complex and engaging tasting sensation.