What does umami taste like?

depglass · ‎03-10-2010

They talk about sweet, sour, salty and umami. What the heck does umami taste like? All those cooking shows I watch, all those cookbooks I buy, and I don't have a clue.

Campion · ‎10-21-2011

Umami is meat taste, specifically it's the taste of glutamic acid. If you've ever tasted MSG (accent) or bouillon cubes or mushrooms, that's umami. Not salty, sweet, bitter or sour.

GingerPeach · ‎03-12-2010

Umami is the fifth flavor after sweet, salty, sour, and bitter.

To me it's best described as a good soy sauce flavor, although umami taste is also in Parmesan cheese, mushrooms, and seaweed.

There are online descriptions about the amino acid, and glutamate, and more. Just to simplify, it's most like a good soy sauce.

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PA Mom-mom · ‎05-27-2015

@GingerPeach wrote:
Umami is the fifth flavor after sweet, salty, sour, and bitter.
To me it's best described as a good soy sauce flavor, although umami taste is also in Parmesan cheese, mushrooms, and seaweed.

There are online descriptions about the amino acid, and glutamate, and more. Just to simplify, it's most like a good soy sauce.

@GingerPeach I agree. There isn't a perfect description of umami, but I think soy sauce comes closest. Also, mushrooms after they have been cooked down in butter, herbs and lemom. Sometimes certain meat gravies.

sunshine45 · ‎03-09-2010

@Campion wrote:
Umami is meat taste, specifically it's the taste of glutamic acid. If you've ever tasted MSG (accent) or bouillon cubes or mushrooms, that's umami. Not salty, sweet, bitter or sour.

definitely a MSG flavor!......a savory taste.

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Pooky1 · ‎12-23-2015

until now i never hurd of it.

sidsmom · ‎11-25-2011

I always think of it as an ‘earthy’ taste.

Can’t pinpoint what it’s from but definitely

adds a ‘depth’ layer to the dish.

Mushrooms & seaweed create it for me....

jackthebear · ‎03-11-2010

TRaders has a new spice jar out called Umami, love all their spice jars passed on this one

depglass · ‎03-10-2010

I did order the Trader Joe's through Amazon. Can't say I'm now versed in "umami" but this stuff is good. Cut way down on your salt when first experimenting.

toria · ‎08-28-2010

Its not any one flavor. There is no specific flavor to it. Its a savory taste imparted to a dish that makes it extra good and you can't really put your finger on it. It could be from soy sauce, mushrooms, stock, or any number of things.