piquant
Agreeably biting taste
Piquant describes a pleasantly sharp or spicy taste—food with enough bite to stimulate the palate without overwhelming it: a piquant sauce, piquant olives.
The word extends to anything agreeably stimulating or provocative: a piquant wit, piquant details about the scandal.
The connotation is always positive—intriguing rather than offensive, zesty rather than harsh.
Lively in flavor
- tangySharp and lively-tasting
- pepperyHaving sharp, hot flavor
- spicedSeasoned with aromatics
- fieryIntensely hot or passionate
hot · cayenne · chili · jalapeño · wasabi · horseradish · mustard · gingery
Arousing interest or energy
- intriguingArousing eager interest
- engagingPleasantly attractive, compelling attention
- thought-provokingPrompting serious reflection
- fascinatingExtremely interesting or captivating
captivating · arresting · striking · compelling · absorbing · interesting · curious · novel
Appetizing, not sweet
salty · appetizing · flavorful · full-bodied · rich · aromatic · herbaceous · garlicky
Bordering on improper
- titillatingPleasurably stimulating, often sensually
- scandalousMorally offensive or shocking
- racyMildly indecent in content
- suggestiveHinting at impropriety
naughty · saucy · cheeky · audacious · daring · bold · impertinent · flirtatious
zesty
Lively in flavor
fiery · hot · cayenne · chili · jalapeño · wasabi · horseradish · mustard · gingery · curried
stimulating
Arousing interest or energy
- intriguingArousing eager interest
- engagingPleasantly attractive, compelling attention
- thought-provokingPrompting serious reflection
fascinating · captivating · arresting · striking · compelling · absorbing · interesting · curious · novel · surprising
sour
Sharp, biting taste
vinegary · tart · tangy · sharp · biting · bracing · crisp · zingy · astringent · pickled
savory
Appetizing, not sweet
smoky · salty · appetizing · flavorful · full-bodied · rich · aromatic · herbaceous · garlicky · olive
risqué
Bordering on improper
- titillatingPleasurably stimulating, often sensually
- scandalousMorally offensive or shocking
- racyMildly indecent in content
suggestive · naughty · saucy · cheeky · audacious · daring · bold · impertinent · flirtatious · coy