WHAT IS UMAMI?!

It’s a weird thing to describe, and I’ve always found it hard to understand. Sweet = sugar, salty = salt, but umami… what is that?!

Our taste buds register something as umami when it detects the presence of an amino acid called glutamate. MSG or monosodium glutamate is a pure form of it, and when it is added to food, the flavours are always enhanced and the food tastes so good!!

Glutamate is one of the most abundant amino acids, and it’s found in lots of foods. Especially food that is fermented or aged. During these processes, proteins break down, and produce more glutamate and amino acids.

As we know to add sugar, maple syrup, honey to add sweetness.

Vinegar, lemon juice, or wine to add aciditiy or sourness.

We can also add umami to a dish by knowing what ingredients contain lots of glutamate/UMAMI

The following are potent sources of umami:

1. Paremsan Cheese
2. Soy Sauce or Tamari
3. Miso Paste
4. Fish Sauce
5. Dried Shiitake Mushrooms
6. Kombu (Seaweed/Kelp)
7. Bonito Flakes (Katsuobushi)
8. Gochujang - A Korean fermented chili paste
9. Anchovies
10. oyster sauce
11. Proscuitto or other cured meats
12. Roasted Tomatoes
13. sundried tomatoes
14. truffle oil
15. Worcestershire Sauce
16. blue cheese
17. asparagus
18. beef
19. fish
20. seaweed

When certain dishes combine multiple sources of umami, they’re usually super yummy delicious! For Example:

Pizza:
-Tomato sauce
-cheese (Parmesan, mozzarella)
-cured meats (pepperoni, sausage)
-mushrooms
-caramelized onions

Ramen:
-soy sauce
-miso paste
-meat and bone broths (pork, chicken)
-mushrooms
-seaweed
-scallions

Pasta:
-Tomato-based sauces
-Parmesan cheese
-mushrooms
-meat-based sauces (Bolognese)
-anchovies
-olives
-caramelized onions
-roasted vegetables

Caesar Salad Dressing:
-Anchovies
-Parmesan cheese
-garlic
-Dijon mustard
-Worcestershire sauce
-egg yolks
-lemon juice

Common Snacks:
-Potato chips
-popcorn
-cheese
-nuts
-jerky
-dried seaweed snacks
-burgers/sandwiches

#umami #flavourbomb #tastyfood #ramen #pizza #flavors

[khadijahzawiya]

Umami is the best taste to exist it makes eating appealing

[elijahhorne]

I've been cursed to hate mushrooms but love umami 😭