That Unfamiliar Taste

Dining is quite an enjoyable experience. There are few things in life better than a fantastic meal. While the purpose of consuming food is to create energy for our bodies, there is much to be said for the wide variety of delectable exotic and familiar foods and flavors. So when some one asks you to describe how something tastes, what adjectives do you use to describe your sensations?

We all know of bitterness, which is perceived by many to be very sharp or even unpleasant or disagreeable to our palate. Bitter foods can be unsweetened chocolate, bitter melon, citrus peel or even coffee to some.

Saltiness is another sensation that we are all familiar with. Saltiness is primarily produced by the presence of sodium ions. Salty foods can be, well, salty. Pretzels and Lucas Salts that children enjoy are examples of saltiness.

Sourness is the next taste. Sourness is the taste that detects acidity on the tongue. Many sour foods are in the citrus family such as oranges or lemons and limes. Some candies play on the combination of sourness and saltiness mixed with sweetness, our next familiar taste.

Sweetness is a favorite. It is usually regarded as a pleasurable sensation produced from sugars or even some proteins. Our taste buds have at least two different variants of the "sweetness receptors" that need to be activated for the brain to register sweetness as we eat. Rich desserts containing luscious creamy layers of your favorite pies, cakes or cheesecakes give you an idea here. Ah, sweetness is a small heavenly indulgence here on Earth.

Our last main taste that most aren’t familiar with is the sensation of umami. Umami comes from the Japanese word umai, which means yummy or keen. It is produced by compounds such as glutamate, and is often found in fermented or aged foods. Umami in English is described as "meatiness", "relish" or "savoriness". Examples are beef (that perfectly cooked steak), lamb, Parmesan and Roquefort cheese, and soy and Worcestershire sauces. Umami often goes without mention simply because it is not common knowledge.

Make sure and utilize all of your taste buds the next time that you eat. And when you do, don’t forget to include umami in your next conversation about the meal you ate or the recipe that you share with another.