tannins

Red wine astringents

Tannins are bitter, astringent compounds found in plants—especially in tea, wine, unripe fruit, and tree bark.

They create the dry, puckering sensation in your mouth from strong black tea or a young red wine.

In winemaking, tannins contribute to structure and aging potential: The wine's tannins will soften over time.

Tannins were historically used in tanning leather, which gave them their name.

chemistry

polyphenols

Plant-derived antioxidant compounds

tannic acid · phenolic · antioxidants · molecules · compounds · binding · proteins · precipitation · oxidation · polymerization

astringency

pucker

Draw into wrinkles

firmness · roughness · tightness · chalky · bracing · bite · bitterness · harsh · chewy · coarse

sources

grape skins

Fruit's outer membrane

  • seedsPlant embryos in casings
  • stemsPlant's main axes
  • oakQuercus genus member

chestnut · tea leaves · bark · pomegranate · persimmon · walnut · acacia · cacao · coffee · sumac

wine

barrel

Hooped cylindrical vessel

  • oakQuercus genus member
  • agingGrowing older over time
  • structureArrangement of interconnected parts

complexity · finish · decanting · vintage · terroir · cellaring · enology · maceration · skin contact · pressing

preservation

hide

Conceal or pelt

  • curingRestoring health or preserving
  • mordantCuttingly critical in expression
  • dyeingColoring via immersion

wood treatment · antimicrobial · stabilization · traditional crafts · parchment

Categories
Opposites
mouthfeel/texture sensation

tanninssmoothness

Freedom from irregularity

softness · silkiness · creaminess · sweetness · glycerol

wine/beverage components

tanninssugars

Sweet edible carbohydrates

sweetness · acids · fruit · fruitiness · glycerol

chemical function in food science

tanninsemulsifiers

Agents binding immiscible liquids

fats · oils · lipids · lecithin · glycerin

Phrases
Family

tanning, tannin

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G