Gustatory cortex

The gustatory cortex is the part of your brain responsible for processing the sense of taste. Located in the brain's insular and frontal opercular cortex, it interprets signals sent from taste buds on your tongue via nerves. When you eat or drink, the taste sensations—such as sweet, salty, sour, bitter, or umami—are recognized here, allowing you to identify flavors and experience taste quality. It also helps with the perception of taste intensity and can influence your appetite and enjoyment of food. Essentially, the gustatory cortex integrates taste information to create your overall flavor experience.