Heteromeric taste receptors are provided. These receptors comprise a first polypeptide which comprises extracellular and transmembrane domains wherein the transmembrane domains are at least 95% identical to the transmembrane domains of specific T1R1 polypeptides, and the extracellular domains are at least 95% identical to the corresponding extracellular domains of the specific T1R1 polypeptide or a different GPCR; and a second polypeptide which comprises extracellular and transmembrane domains wherein the transmembrane domains are at least 95% identical to the transmembrane domains of specific T1R3 polypeptides, and the extracellular domains are at least 95% identical to the corresponding extracellular domains of the specific T1R3 polypeptide or that of a different GPCR.