Why Do Aspirin Tablets Taste Sour?

[richievuong]

Q: Why do aspirin tablets taste sour?

A: I know that Aspirin is an ester (acetylsalicylic acid), and it is synthesized by combining salicylic acid and acetic anhydride. But other than the fact that acids taste sour...is there a further explanation of why aspirin tablets taste sour?

 

[Ouabache]

I believe you've hit on the correct explanation. Acids do taste sour, in fact the Latin word for sour is acidus.

Extra: Nature has a way of synthesizing another ester of salicylic acid? What organism does this? What is the name of this compound?

 

[turbo]

Extra hint: it's a traditional topical analgesic, and it smells nice.

 

[Cesium]

And the ester that you two talk off does not taste sour presumably because it's not an acid.