The Mystery of the Sour Tooth

In the heart of Tokyo, a convenience store becomes a playground for sour candy lovers. Adults and kids alike are drawn to the vibrant, tangy treats lining the shelves.

• A man grabs a pack of fettuccine-shaped gummies.
• A young girl excitedly shows her mother her selection of ume and peach-flavored candies.
• Another shopper fills their basket with an assortment of super lemon suckers, pink lemonade gushers, and soda-flavored hard candies, earning a few disapproving glances from the cashier.

"But who cares? It's vacation, and rules about sugar don't apply."

The Science Behind Sour Love

This love for sour isn't just a childhood phase. A 2024 study by Penn State researchers found that about one in eight adults enjoy intensely sour flavors.

• Why? There's something inherently different about those who love sour. But what exactly that is remains a mystery.

Early Beginnings

This love for sour flavors started early for some. A mother recalls her baby's fascination with lemons, how the child would laugh and ask for more despite the intense tartness.

"Whether this story is true or not, it's clear that this love for sour can last into adulthood."

• Some enjoy Warheads, pineapples, unripe mangoes, and sour beverages, alcoholic or not.

The Mystery of Sourness

Scientists have long struggled to understand sourness. Unlike sweet, salty, umami, and bitter tastes, sourness doesn't clearly indicate nutrition or toxicity.

• Why do some people crave it?
• Rob Dunn, a biologist at North Carolina State University, suggests it might be biological and evolutionary.
• Humans and other primates have lost the ability to produce vitamin C, so liking acidic foods might be a way to remind us to ingest it.
• Ancient primates ate more fermented foods, and sourness could indicate safety.

Patterns of Sour Preference

Penn State researchers found three distinct patterns of response to sour flavors:

1. Those who dislike it.
2. Those who are indifferent.
3. Those who love it.

"Interestingly, those who love sour flavors experience the same intensity as those who dislike it; they just enjoy it more."

Nostalgia and Sour Candies

For some, sour candies bring back nostalgic memories of childhood.

• Michael Fisher, Founder & CEO at Rotten, a sour candy company, notes that many people want to recapture that feeling of indulging in too much sour candy as kids.
• Throughout tweens and early teens, many enjoy an abundance of sour sweets during Halloween, exchanging chocolates for sour candies with friends.

"To some, sour is more than just a taste; it's a reminder of carefree childhood moments filled with joy and pleasure."