The Supertasters Flavoring Your Food: “The Flavorists” | 60 Minutes Archive
In the captivating 2011 Thanksgiving special, Morley Safer dives deep into the multibillion-dollar food flavoring industry, uncovering the mysterious world of “supertasters” and their influential role in shaping what we eat. This episode of “60 Minutes” exposes how these flavorists utilize secret formulas that can “hijack” our brains, crafting flavors that are nearly irresistible.
With a rich history dating back to its debut in 1968, “60 Minutes” has maintained its status as the most successful television broadcast, delivering hard-hitting investigative journalism and compelling storytelling. Over its 50-plus seasons, the program continues to engage audiences, consistently ranking in Nielsen’s Top 10.
Join us to explore how the science of flavor not only enhances our culinary experiences but also taps into our psychology, revealing the powerful impact of taste on our emotions and choices. This enlightening episode is a testament to the intricate and often hidden mechanisms behind the food we love.
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Watch the full episode and discover the secrets of the flavorists that are reshaping the way we taste and perceive food!
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“60 Minutes,” the most successful television broadcast in history. Offering hard-hitting investigative reports, interviews, feature segments and profiles of people in the news, the broadcast began in 1968 and is still a hit, over 50 seasons later, regularly making Nielsen’s Top 10.
Video “The supertasters flavoring your food: “The Flavorists” | 60 Minutes Archive” was uploaded on 11/27/2025 to Youtube Channel 60 Minutes


































To flavor without salt is essential.
We need better food protection laws like Europe has, not over addicting flavoring. These people should be put out of business for making this poison.
I WAS TESTED after my doctor suspected I was a super taster. Because I never drank alcohol, coffee, and can't stand strong spicy food. He was right. It explained a lot of my eating habits and why I can taste things others can't. But it does help me cook meals everyone loves. I am cooking the entire Thanksgiving meal today for my family. They look forward to it. Happy Thanksgiving everyone. 🦃🍗
Dude this episode is awesome. This looks so good. More favor, less fats.
Morley Safer is so subtly savage.
Morely Safer, Ed Bradley, Mike Wallace, Bob Simon & of course, the legend, Andy Rooney…these journalists were legendary. Halcyon days indeed
I love molecular gastronomy also. But one could easily see how and why our capitalist society turned food into something that isnt good at all. Its profitable… take chips and cereals as a clear example. No nutritional value, but they come in every flavor you can imagine. Msg plays a huge role in this as well. Omega 3 is good for you and so is butter. (Cream and salt only) when i was growing up everyone said it was extremely bad for you… we could even start to talk about how fruits have lots significant amounts of nutritional value also… the pinapple as an example…
Of course he doesn't feel guilty about the obesity crisis in America. Admitting that would hurt his business.
Back when even the “fun” segments were focused on covering a topic that actually matters. Now the “fun” segments are about Israeli magicians and fake life-extension quack docs that cater to Austin tech bros.
Take control of the food you eat. Choose REAL food, as provided in nature, without chemicals and additives. Throw out all canned, boxed, instant foods. Add herbs and spices to make food flavorful. Grown your own food, including herbs, in a backyard or balcony garden. Make food your medicine. To health!
whatever anyone in this video eats, nobody should, am I taking crazy pills?!!!