(4) According to traditional thinking, the taste buds for"sweet" are on the tip of the tongue; the "salt" taste buds are on either side of the front of the tongue; "sour" taste buds are behind this; and "bitter"taste buds are way in the back. However, recent research has proved that the notion of taste buds is a misconception.Sweet, sour, salty, bitter and savory tastes can actually be sensed by all parts of the tongue.