In a research published in the journal Chemical Senses, researchers have declared 'fat' as sixth taste. Its official name is Oleogustus, which is Latin name 'a taste for fat'. Researchers have been working for a while to declare fat as the sixth taste.

In order to qualify as a true taste, a flavor needs to pass a strenuous test, which including triggering 'specific receptors on our taste buds' and also to have a 'unique chemical signature'. Professor of Nutrition Science at Purdue University, Rick Mattes, was of the view that having fat is like eating oxidized oil.

Humans have fat receptors in their mouths. But it has not been proven yet as whether or not people are able to differentiate the taste of fat. Owing to the presence of the triglycerides, fat along with a flavor also gives a sensation of thick mouth feel.

Mattes stated, "That gives the richness, the creaminess, viscosity and so on. But that is not the taste part. The taste part is when we cleave off part of that triglyceride, the fatty acid part".

For the study, the researchers have tasted 28 different samples of mixtures that look-wise were same, but had different tastes. It was found that more than 50% of people in the study were able to distinguish the mixtures having fatty acids. Study researchers said that Oleogustus is found in high concentrations in rancin foods.