Final answer:
The bitter taste of persimmon and bitter gourd is related to stimulating the gag reflex to avoid ingesting poisons. Bitter foods are often combined with a sweet component to make them more palatable.
Step-by-step explanation:
The bitter taste of persimmon and bitter gourd is primarily related to the stimulating the gag reflex to avoid ingesting poisons. Bitter foods are often combined with a sweet component to make them more palatable. The highest concentration of bitter receptors appear to be in the posterior tongue, where the gag reflex could still spit out poisonous food.