Virtual reality (VR) is about to become even more immersive with a new invention that lets you taste food while using VR headsets.

Scientists have created a device called “e-Taste,” which uses tiny sensors and wireless chemical dispensers to simulate different flavors in your mouth.

This breakthrough could change the way we experience VR, making it possible to taste a slice of cake or sip a cup of coffee without actually eating or drinking anything.

The e-Taste system was developed by researchers at The Ohio State University.

It works by recognizing molecules like glucose and glutamate, which create the five basic tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami.

The device then converts this information into electrical signals and sends them wirelessly to a remote system that recreates the taste.

The key component of e-Taste is a tiny pump that delivers flavored solutions through a special gel layer.

When activated, the pump vibrates and releases a small amount of liquid into the user’s mouth. By controlling how long the solution interacts with the gel, scientists can adjust the strength and intensity of each taste.

Researchers tested the e-Taste system with human participants, who were able to recognize different taste intensities with about 70% accuracy. The system was even tested remotely—scientists in Ohio sent taste signals all the way to California, proving that long-distance virtual tasting is possible.

To further explore how well it works, participants were asked to identify five different virtual foods: lemonade, cake, fried egg, fish soup, and coffee. The results showed that e-Taste can successfully create realistic taste sensations in a VR environment.

Taste and smell play a big role in human emotions and memories. This new technology could help scientists better understand how the brain processes taste. It also opens up new possibilities for VR gaming, where players could taste virtual food in a restaurant simulation or feel the difference between flavors in a cooking game.

Beyond gaming, e-Taste could have real-world benefits. For example, it could help people with taste disorders, such as those affected by long COVID or brain injuries, experience flavors again. Researchers also plan to improve the device by making it smaller and more compatible with different food chemicals.

“This is just the beginning,” said Jinhua Li, one of the study’s researchers. “We are taking a step toward making virtual worlds more lifelike and inclusive.”

With e-Taste, the future of VR might include more than just sights and sounds—it could bring the full experience of eating to the digital world.