True or False: Each flavor can only be tasted on a specific part of the tongue.

The statement that each flavor can only be tasted on a specific part of the tongue is false. This misconception is rooted in the outdated "tongue map" theory, which suggested that different areas of the tongue are solely responsible for tasting specific flavors such as sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami. In reality, taste receptors for all flavors are distributed throughout the tongue, and areas of the tongue are not exclusive to a single taste type.

Research has shown that taste perception is a more complex process that involves both the tongue and other areas of the mouth, and even the retronasal olfactory system, which significantly contributes to flavor perception. Therefore, while certain areas of the tongue may be slightly more responsive to specific flavors, all areas play a role in tasting a wide range of flavors. This is a critical point for understanding the science of taste and flavor in culinary medicine.