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What is umami?

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Quick answer

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. It's a basic taste your tongue detects, like sweet or salty.

Key things to understand

  1. It's a basic taste your tongue detects, like sweet or salty.
  2. It comes mainly from glutamate, an amino acid found in proteins.
  3. Rich sources include tomatoes, cheese, mushrooms, soy sauce, and meat.
  4. It signals protein and adds a 'moreish' savory depth.
  5. It was identified by Japanese scientist Kikunae Ikeda in 1908.

People also ask

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.

Part of the guide: Food & Kitchen Science →