Page 173 - The Miracles of Smell and Taste

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would have had to run tests in order to determine whether the small,
white particles in a jar in your cupboard were salt, sugar, or washing pow-
der—a poisonous substance. Even if you spent all your time analyzing the
food and drink you needed, that still would not be sufficient.

Were it not for your sense of taste you might not even think of eating
at all. This process, which you have to perform two or three times every
day, would become a terrible burden. If you ignored it, symptoms of mal-
nutrition and disease would begin appearing. Now consider the actual
circumstances, while still bearing these facts in mind: Foods essential for
your health are at the same time pleasant to eat and drink. For example,
the melon and delicious watermelon that quench your thirst in summer,
and fruits such as oranges and mandarins help meet your vitamin re-
quirements in winter.
Remember all the dry and liquid foods you have ever tasted: fruits
such as bananas, strawberries, peaches, cherries, figs, apricots and dates;
vegetables such as spinach, carrots, tomatoes, potatoes and
peas; cereals such as chickpeas, lentils and beans;
desserts such as puddings, pies and cakes;

meat cooked in various different ways; dif-
ferent kinds of cheese, soup, cakes, pies,
biscuits, pastries, fruit juices, ice creams,
jams, and so many more besides. Were