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You can easily tell when something sweet or sour, salty or bitter, but it might be a little harder to figure out exactly what you’re sensing when a food has umami—the fifth taste that is a comforting delight. You may just feel satisfied, full, or content.
It’s usually described as “meaty” flavor and can actually take its place in many dishes—good to know if you’re a meat-lover wanting to eat less meat. Problem solved!
Umami’s presence has only recently been acknowledged in American cuisine but it’s been intentionally included in Asian dishes for years. You’re likely to find it in foods with a lot of protein. This includes meats, seafoods, seaweeds, soy foods, aged cheeses like parmesan, kimchi, tomatoes, mushrooms, and even green tea.
For a safe way to make bland health foods irresistibly flavorful, add umami instead of adding toxic MSG (Monosodium glutamate).
And guess what? Umami not only makes food more tasty. Researchers say that it could also curb your appetite. That should make your feel better already.
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