Science
What is Umami?
Umami is the savory 'fifth taste,' alongside sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. It's the deep, meaty, satisfying flavor of foods like aged cheese, tomatoes, mushrooms, and broth — caused mainly by an amino acid called glutamate.
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Watch a 2-minute lesson with voice + animation that explains umami.
Key things to understand
- 1It's a basic taste your tongue detects, like sweet or salty.
- 2It comes mainly from glutamate, an amino acid found in proteins.
- 3Rich sources include tomatoes, cheese, mushrooms, soy sauce, and meat.
- 4It signals protein and adds a 'moreish' savory depth.
- 5It was identified by Japanese scientist Kikunae Ikeda in 1908.
Frequently asked questions
- What does umami taste like?
- A deep, savory, broth-like richness — the satisfying flavor of meat, aged cheese, ripe tomatoes, and soy sauce.
- What foods are high in umami?
- Tomatoes, parmesan, mushrooms, soy sauce, fish, cured meats, and broths — all rich in glutamate or related compounds.
- Is MSG the same as umami?
- MSG is monosodium glutamate, a purified form of the very compound that creates the umami taste, so it adds savoriness directly.