What if you could taste food through your screen? You no longer have to guess what a chef’s secret sauce tastes like. You won’t have to just wish for that perfectly cooked steak you see on TV anymore. Virtual reality has already perfected vision and hearing. Now, it’s about flavor.
Researchers at City University of Hong Kong have developed a lickable VR device—yes, lickable—that simulates real flavors using chemical gels and electrical stimulation. It’s weird and futuristic and could change how we experience food, from cooking shows to virtual dining.
But how does it work? And, more importantly—would anyone actually use it?
The Advent of Lickable VR Technology:
Tech is always finding new ways to pull us in. First, it was sharper screens. Then, surround sound. Now? It’s taste.
Researchers at the City University of Hong Kong have built a lickable VR device—yes, you lick it—that tricks your tongue into experiencing different flavors. What’s the idea? Add flavor to the online experience.
Cooking shows are only the beginning. Picture looking at a restaurant menu and trying some meals before making your choice. Trying a friend’s homemade food from another country. Even video games where power-ups actually have flavor.
It’s wild. It’s futuristic. But how does it work?
How Does It Work?
No, this isn’t some Willy Wonka magic. It’s science—exact, planned, and a bit strange.
The device has a thin, lickable film covered in tasty gels. These products have chemicals that copy the five basic tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami.
But taste goes beyond chemicals. Electrical input is very important. Small electric currents stimulate the tongue, making it feel different tastes. Change the signals, and a bland picture can “taste” like citrus, caramel, or grilled meat.
It’s part chemistry, part illusion. And somehow, it works.
But here’s the real question—will anyone actually use it?
Weird lickable lollipop invention lets you taste in virtual reality
byu/GreenskyGames invirtualreality
Potential Applications:
Food is already one of the most consumed forms of content. Cooking shows. Mukbangs. Travel vlogs. People don’t just watch—they crave.
Now, what if they could taste?
A chef pours caramel on a dessert. You touch your VR device. Wow—it’s a rich, creamy sweetness. A blogger bites into spicy street food. Your tongue feels warm and tingly. Cooking shows could engage all the senses. That’s only the start.
Some restaurants provide tasting menus, allowing customers to try small samples of foods before they place their orders. Virtual dinner parties can feel like the real thing, even if people are far away from each other. Gamers can taste real flavors when they collect food power-ups in the game. It’s thrilling. It’s strange. It could change everything.
Before we get too excited, there are some important issues to consider.
Challenges and Things to Think About:
Like any new tool, there are challenges to overcome. And this one? It’s got its fair share.
First, let’s discuss cleanliness. Licking a shared device? That’s hard to sell. Even with disposable covers, cleaning will still be a concern. The idea of sharing a “lickable” device at a dinner party might make some people uncomfortable.
Next, we need to talk about how accurate the flavors are. Can a small device really imitate the rich and complicated experience of real food? It can mimic basic tastes like sweet, salty, and sour, but what about the more complex flavors that make a meal special? Will the device ever be able to match the real thing?
Lastly, user comfort. The thought of electrical shocks on your tongue seems a bit creepy. Some people might be interested, while others may feel uneasy. The question is—will many people be interested in trying it? Will they accept this new and unusual way of sensing things?
The tech is cool. The potential is huge. But there’s still a lot of work to do before lickable VR becomes something people use every day.
The Future of Taste in Virtual Reality:
We’re only scratching the surface here. The future of taste in virtual reality could be far stranger—and far more exciting.
Think about a few years from now when you can enjoy a full meal right from your screen. A chef teaches you to cook a dish, and you try each item as it is added. Or maybe you’re taking an online cooking class, trying out each part of the recipe as you go.
What if the technology could create new flavors? The gadget can currently mimic basic tastes: sweet, salty, and sour. Imagine if it could recreate how things feel, their temperatures, and even the taste of spice. Imagine the spicy kick of a chili or the smooth, rich taste of a delicious dessert.
The possibilities? Almost limitless.
This technology could change how we enjoy meals from home in the future. You can enjoy a meal with friends from the other side of the world and eat the same food together. Virtual reality games may become very advanced, featuring food that looks and feels real.
We’re at the cusp of something huge. But for now, we’re still learning how to get the taste just right.
In a Nutshell:
Taste. It’s the one sense that’s been locked out of the digital world. Until now. Licking your screen to taste food? That’s odd. Disturbing. It also shows a future where our senses work perfectly with the virtual world.
Lickable VR technology may seem like a fun, unusual idea better suited for a sci-fi movie. It’s not just that. It shows a sneak peek of the next way we will enjoy media. A place where food, fun, and socializing meet.
One day, watching a cooking show could mean actually tasting the dishes on TV. A virtual meal could let people across the world share the same flavors.
There are many options available. This technology could change everything. It affects how we use information and how we communicate with one another. It’s strange; it feels modern, and it might be the next big trend in our love for virtual experiences.
