How many taste buds does an average human have?

• A. About 3,500
• B. Between 9,000 and 10,000
• C. About 15,000
• D. About 100

Answer: (B)

Taste buds number in the thousands for most adults—the commonly cited range is about 9,000 to 10,000. These are tiny clusters of taste receptor cells embedded in the tongue’s bumps (papillae) and also in other parts of the mouth. They detect five basic tastes and are continually renewed, with turnover roughly every one to two weeks. The exact count varies between individuals and tends to decrease with age, and can be influenced by genetics and lifestyle. So, the middle range of about 9,000 to 10,000 best matches what is typically observed in adults. The other figures fall outside the usual range and aren’t representative of the average adult.