palate cleansing
Between-course neutralizing bite
Palate cleansing refers to eating or drinking something between courses or tastings to neutralize lingering flavors.
A palate cleanser—typically sorbet, bread, or plain water—prepares the mouth to taste the next item freshly: The sommelier offered sparkling water for palate cleansing between wines.
The phrase extends figuratively to anything that resets one's sensory or mental state: I watched a comedy for some palate cleansing after that disturbing documentary.
- sorbetFrozen fruit confection
- lemon sorbetFrozen citrus dessert
- intermezzoBrief linking musical passage
- amuse boucheBite-sized chef's gift
- refreshingPleasingly restorative
citrus · ginger · lemon · green apple · crisp · neutral · reset · fresh start · taste · course · dining · mint · light · sparkling · sparkling water · white wine · acidic · sherbet
- sensory testingblind tasting, taste testing, sensory thresholds, flavor profiles, mouthfeel
- eatingchewing, biting, swallowing, nibbling, munching
- tastingswine tasting, cheese tasting, chocolate tasting, coffee tasting, tea tasting
- eating effectsfullness, satiety, bloating, heartburn, indigestion
palate cleansingrich
Having much of something
decadent · heavy · bold · robust · overpowering
palate cleansingmain course
Primary dish served
entrée · pièce de résistance · showstopper · signature dish · headliner
palate, cleanse, palates, palatine, cleanser, cleansers, cleansed, cleanses, cleansing