What makes something taste bitter?

Question

What type of chemical is responsible for making something taste bitter? I know that some simple sugars are responsible for sweetness. Sodium Chloride (or similar salt) is responsible for saltiness. Hydrogen ions make things taste sour. But what compound or types of compounds make things bitter?

Answer 1

Basic chemicals, with a high PH have a bitter taste and due to their poor soluability they linger in your mouth longer than most other tastes. an example is Alkaloids theyre always bitter, like well im not sure if youre familiar with illegal drugs but most of all drugs are bitter due to them being alkaloids (alkaloids are basic chemical compounds)

Answer 2

bitter is the opposite of sour and is caused by high pH, or excess OH-.