In this review, we focus on individual variations that arise from genetic differences and review two domains of
science: recent developments in the molecular biology of taste transduction, with a focus on the genes involved and second, studies that examine
biological relatives to determine the heritability of taste perception. Because the receptors for sweet, savory (umami), and bitter have recently been
discovered, we summarize what is known about their function by reviewing the effect of naturally occurring and man-made alleles of these
receptors, their shape and function based on receptor modeling techniques, and how they differ across animal species that vary in their ability to
taste certain qualities. We discuss this literature in the context of how taste genes may differ among people and give rise to individuated taste
experience, and what is currently known about the genetic effects on taste perception in humans.