Saturday, April 7, 2012

To Be Bitter, or Not To Be Bitter? That is the question

Bitrex Taste Test


Bitrex: the chemical name for it is denatonium benzoate. It's a non-toxic white powder. In order to obtain the piercing bitter taste, you only need it in small quantities. To give you an idea of how bitter it really is, Bitrex is in the Guinness Book of Records as the bitterest substance known. It is added to household chemicals so that if it is consumed by a child then they will spit it out immediately.

7 comments:

  1. Isn't this dangerous?Can't it kill people like drain cleaner and such?

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    1. It's put into chemicals on purpose...they aren't actually giving him chemicals to taste! Bitrex is non-toxic

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  2. Wow thats intense! That Boy is brave!

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  3. I never knew Bitrex was the bitterest substance know. But I think it is smart how it is used in certain household chemicals so if it is consumed children spit it out!

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  4. That reaction video sort of made me chuckle. What kind of household chemicals have this stuff in it? Does normal house soap have it, because that stuff tastes horrible.

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    1. It's found in a variety of chemicals: All Purpose Cleaners
      Kitchen Cleaners, Bathroom Cleaners, Liquid Laundry Detergents/Capsules, Fabric Softeners, etc. I don't think it would be in body soap but it does taste bitter if some of it goes in your mouth!

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  5. You call him brave, I call him idiotic. Who in their right mind would try that? Shake my head.

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