umami
Fifth basic taste
Umami is a savory taste distinct from sweet, sour, salty, and bitter—often described as meaty, brothy, or deeply satisfying.
The flavor comes from glutamates found naturally in foods like aged cheese, mushrooms, soy sauce, and tomatoes.
Japanese in origin, the word means "pleasant savory taste." The umami in the broth came from kombu seaweed.
Granular Italian grating cheese
- shiitakeEast Asian edible mushroom
- misoFermented legume paste
- soy sauceFermented bean condiment
- anchovySmall, salty forage fish
tomato · seaweed · kombu · dashi · fish sauce · bonito · fermented foods · aged cheese
Japanese kelp-based broth
- miso soupFermented soybean-based broth
- ramenJapanese noodle soup
- phoInformal fake spelling
- pad thaiSoutheast Asian stir-fried noodles
Caesar salad · pizza margherita · bolognese · French onion soup · tom yum · hot pot · risotto · gravy
Appetizing, not sweet
- savorinessAppetizing taste quality
- brothyLike thin soup
- meatyRich in content
- palateOral cavity ceiling
taste buds · gustation · mouthfeel · aftertaste · depth · richness · fullness · complexity
DNA and RNA subunits
- amino acidsOrganic compounds forming proteins
- receptorsProteins binding specific molecules
- synergyCombined effect exceeding components
- fermentationMicrobial sugar conversion
aging · hydrolysis · proteins · MSG · flavor enhancer · potentiation · threshold · concentration
Powerful urge to have
- satisfactionState of fulfilled desires
- satietyState of being full
- appetiteDesire for food
- moreishPrompting repeated consumption
craveable · addictive · comforting · warming · nourishing · fulfilling · lingering · rounded
parmesan
Granular Italian grating cheese
anchovy · tomato · seaweed · kombu · dashi · fish sauce · bonito · fermented foods · aged cheese · Worcestershire
dashi
Japanese kelp-based broth
pad thai · Caesar salad · pizza margherita · bolognese · French onion soup · tom yum · hot pot · risotto · gravy · stock
savory
Appetizing, not sweet
- savorinessAppetizing taste quality
- brothyLike thin soup
- meatyRich in content
palate · taste buds · gustation · mouthfeel · aftertaste · depth · richness · fullness · complexity · deliciousness
nucleotides
DNA and RNA subunits
- amino acidsOrganic compounds forming proteins
- receptorsProteins binding specific molecules
- synergyCombined effect exceeding components
fermentation · aging · hydrolysis · proteins · MSG · flavor enhancer · potentiation · threshold · concentration
craving
Powerful urge to have
- satisfactionState of fulfilled desires
- satietyState of being full
- appetiteDesire for food
moreish · craveable · addictive · comforting · warming · nourishing · fulfilling · lingering · rounded · balanced
- food termsprotein, carbohydrate, flavor, fat, taste
- tastebitter, salty, taste, sour, sweet
- gastronomygastronomy, gourmet food, fine dining, tasting menu, degustation
- Japanese foodsushi, ramen, tempura, sashimi, miso
- Japanese wordsanime, bento, bonsai, futon, geisha
- sensessight, smell, taste, hearing, touch
- umami bombIntensely savory dish
- umami flavorGlutamate-triggered taste sensation