Since I remember a previous post on your interest in synthesia, thought I'd point you to a new study on the subject suggesting that "[word meaning] – not the sound or spelling – elicits the taste sensation."
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn10644-think-of-a-concept-taste-it-on-your-tongue.html

Interesting:

<<For some people, the mere mention of a word can bring a very specific taste to the tongue. "Mountain" might elicit cold bacon, for instance, while "Michelle" might conjure egg whites. >>