Abstract
To determine the relationship between taste awareness for saltiness or sweetness and preference for foods having salty or sweet taste, a survey was carried out to three groups of 226 students classified according to food education and sex. The students were female majoring in home economics, female and male in other courses. Data were analyzed statistically. The results are summarized as follows:
1) Students studying home economics preferred less salty taste and foods compared to the other female and male students. Female students were aware of less sensitivity to both tastes, and preferred less salty taste and sweeter foods than male students.
2) In all groups, there was a significant positive correlation between favorite seasonings with salt and salty food preferences. That is, the students who liked salty food preferred stronger salty taste. The same was also noted in regard to sweetness.
3) Among two female students groups, there was a significant negative correlation between taste awareness of sensitivity to saltiness and favorite seasoning with salt, and also between taste awareness of sensitivity to saltiness and salty food preferences. That is, student with greater awareness of sensitivity to saltiness, preferred less salty taste and foods, the same tendency also being noted for sweetness in the other female students.
