• PastyWaterSnake@lemmy.world
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    9 months ago

    I work in limestone quarries every day. The dust and grit gets everywhere, and almost every day I will get some in my mouth. Sometimes pieces that are about the size of a skittle somehow make it into my mouth (no. They do not taste like lime Skittles)

    The taste isn’t the problem, it’s the gritty texture that makes it feel like you’re grinding away at your teeth. The taste is similar to steak seasoning. I keep some unflavored gum with me and chew it when I get some in my mouth. This allows me to enjoy the salty/savory flavor while getting past the horrible texture. If only they made steak-flavored chewing gum.

    • cheese_greater@lemmy.worldOP
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      8 months ago

      I would be all over savory gum haha and thanks for the real-world/boots on the ground perspective

      Why do you think it tastes savory like that? Whats in it thats giving off that flavor?

      • Krudler@lemmy.world
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        9 months ago

        Calcium has a distinct flavor that humans crave, just the way we love the taste of umami.

        edit: That’s also the answer to OP question. Limestone tastes like calcium.

      • PastyWaterSnake@lemmy.world
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        9 months ago

        I was mostly joking, but I did get some oily/greasy dust in my mouth, and it tasted kind of burnt and spicy, which is why I came up with “steak seasoning”

        But yes, I do actually inadvertently get limestone in my mouth often, but unfortunately (or fortunately) it really doesn’t taste like anything. Maybe I will have to sample a larger size.

        I might ask our geologist if she “taste tests” the rocks, according to what another commenter said…