Umami is most recently added fifth taste sensation in the mouth. There are different ways we taste; our tongues can detect salt, sweet, sour, bitter and umami in the foods we eat.

Not only is it fun to say the word “umami”, to me, it’s the most tantalizing taste sensation. Foods rich in umami are not healthier than foods in the other taste categories; it’s just personal preference. There are nutritious foods in all of the categories, but because umami foods are my favorite, I feel most satisfied when I eat them as opposed to sweet, salty, and bitter foods. And, I tend to eat less when I choose umami foods because I feel satisfied after just a few bites. You may feel more satisfied eating foods in other taste categories.

What is “umami” you ask? Here’s a rundown:

-It forms “pleasant savory taste” in the mouth

-Glutamate is an amino acid that creates umami taste. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, so naturally protein foods produce the umami sensation.

-Some common, nutritious umami sensation foods are: Parmesan cheese, proteins like chicken, beef, pork and seafood, tomatoes, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and seaweed.

For more information, please visit the Umami Information Center.