A Wonderleaf question
Why do lemons taste sour?
a real page from the book
Lemons taste sour because they contain lots of citric acid. When that acid touches your tongue, sour-sensing taste cells send a quick message to your brain, and your body reacts with puckering, squinting, and extra saliva.
That strong response is an old safety system, since sourness can sometimes signal unripe or spoiled food. A lemon is safe, but its acid is strong enough to press the same warning button, which is why one tiny taste feels so big.
Wonder words
- acid
- receptors
- saliva
- citrus
Try it out
Taste a tiny drop of lemon juice and a sip of water, then compare what your mouth does each time.
Read the whole picture book
Watercolour scenes, straight answers, about three minutes cover to cover.
Open the picture bookKeep wondering
- Who invented pizza?
- How is chocolate made?
- How did people keep food fresh before refrigerators?
- Why do fruits taste sweeter when they are ripe?
- Why do we cook food?
- How does food turn into energy?
And the next question?
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