The science of taste and smell with Rachel Herz

In this episode of the "Rethinking" podcast, host Adam Grant, along with his wife Allison, interviews neuroscientist Rachel Herz about the science of taste and smell. Herz explains Adam's extreme dislike for certain foods like chocolate, coffee, and kale by identifying him as a "super taster" with heightened sensitivity to bitter tastes due to genetics. They discuss the evolutionary reasons behind our preference for sweet over bitter, the implications of being a super taster or non-taster on health and lifestyle, and the surprising impact of smell on our emotional lives and cognitive abilities. Herz also shares insights on how context affects our perception of smell and taste, and how smell is undervalued despite its profound impact on our well-being.