The gustatory system involves our sense of taste. Though it’s one of the body’s more primal senses, it tends to be underappreciated in modern society. In Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), taste isn’t usually considered a major representational system because it plays a smaller role in how most people mentally model their experiences.
However, the gustatory system is closely linked with the olfactory system (sense of smell). In fact, NLP often combines these two in practice. Despite being grouped together, they function through distinct sensory pathways.
Have you ever noticed how food loses flavor when you’re congested? That’s because a large part of what we perceive as taste actually comes from smell. You can try this out—pinch your nose while eating and notice how muted the flavor becomes.
Applying Gustatory Processing
While few individuals primarily rely on taste to process information, certain professions depend heavily on it. Chefs, sommeliers, and food critics use refined gustatory perception to distinguish subtle variations in flavor—such as sweetness, acidity, bitterness, saltiness, and umami—that others might miss entirely.
Taste also shows up in how we talk about experiences in metaphorical ways. Think of phrases like:
- “I got a taste for adventure.”
- “That left a bad taste in my mouth.”
- “I need to chew on that idea for a bit.”
A Source of Pleasure
Becoming more mindful of taste can greatly enhance our daily experiences. Taking time to really savor food, exploring flavor combinations, and appreciating textures can transform ordinary meals into pleasurable rituals. Unfortunately, many people rush through meals, consuming processed food without truly tasting it, leading to a “flavorless” lifestyle.
Taste awareness can even enrich intimate relationships—by noticing and enjoying the subtle tastes and scents of a partner, we can deepen physical and emotional connection.
Taste as an Anchor
Because taste is deeply rooted in the brain’s more primitive areas, especially the brainstem, it can act as a powerful emotional trigger or anchor. For example, someone might associate the taste of a specific drink or food with a past experience. One personal example: during pregnancy, I craved pineapple juice, and now that flavor instantly reminds me of that time.
Gustatory Language
People using gustatory processing may include words like:
- Taste, savor, flavor, bite, nibble, chew, tang, bitter, sweet, salty, spicy, zest, aftertaste, essence, relish.
Recognizing Gustatory Processing
Clues that someone is engaging their gustatory system might include:
- Licking their lips or mimicking chewing motions.
- Speaking or breathing in a rhythm similar to those using kinesthetic processing.
