Why isn't 'spicy' considered one of the five basic tastes?

If you put sugar up your nose does it feel sweet? No. If you put salt in your eye does that feel salty? Hurts, but no. But what if you took a chili pepper and did likewise? Same sensation on your skin or other sensitive area as in your mouth. Exactly the same. read more

Einstein and all that. So just as time is different than physical coordinates, it's still part of the same phenomena called spacetime. Spicy is different than the other tastes, but it's still one of the family. read more

There are only five basic tastes and they are: saltiness, sourness, sweetness and bitterness and umami. All the other tastes are a combination of the above five basic tastes. But here is the thing: spiciness is not produced as a result of the combination of the basic tastes. read more

"Spicy" is often characterized more as a"sensation" then as a"taste". Spiciness, or pungency, is detected by the pain receptors in your tongue, rather than the actual taste buds. read more