Which sensation is associated with the taste of food?

The sensation associated with the taste of food is known as gustatory. This term refers specifically to the sense of taste, which involves the detection of flavor compounds in food by taste buds located on the tongue. When we eat, chemical substances in food interact with these taste buds, sending signals to the brain that are interpreted as different tastes—such as sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami.

The other sensations mentioned—pain, thermal (related to temperature), and olfactory (related to smell)—do not specifically pertain to taste. While olfactory sensations can enhance the perception of taste, they are distinct sensory modalities. Therefore, gustatory is the clear choice when discussing the sensation directly linked to the taste of food.