[removed]

[removed]

[removed]

[removed]

I've taken sodium bicarbonate as an antacid in a pinch. It tastes metallic and slightly soapy. I don't know if that's common between all alkalis though, because I don't have any other edible ones.

I would asume so, because i think alkalibe solutions make soap out of your mouth

[removed]

Oh boy, I sure do hate that sentence.

Usually bitter, although it is not as universal as acidic foods tasting sour. Many types of plants produce alkaline compounds to prevent being eaten and these are usually very bitter. If you have ever had a baked good with too much baking soda you may have also noticed a bitter flavour.

Take a teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate, dissolve in a cup of water, taste. It tastes bland, somewhat bitter and mineraly. You have tasted it every time you thought a glass of water tastes “hard” or “flat”.

[removed]

Generally bitter. From what I’ve read, bitter taste appears to be an evolution-driven reaction to avoiding poisonous substances. There are a number (not sure what percentage though) of naturally occurring alkaline substances that are toxic to us.

This is why bases are actually more dangerous than acids, because they turn the fats of your cell membranes into soaps in an appropriately named chemical reaction called saponification

Yes, bases will react with lipids to create soaps.

Or if you touched a dandelion and then licked your finger

Your submission has been removed for the following reason(s):

ELI5 is not for straightforward answers or facts - ELI5 is for requesting an explanation of a concept, not a simple straightforward answer. This includes topics of a narrow nature that don’t qualify as being sufficiently complex per rule 2.

If you would like this removal reviewed, please read the detailed rules first. If you believe this {kind} was removed erroneously, please use this form and we will review your submission.

I’ve eaten both dandelions and dandelion greens raw as a kid, and yeah they’re pretty bitter.

Dandelion greens are pretty good after being washed and cooked like any other green, though!

Yes, I've heard they're actually very nutritious