Umami — the savory, brothy taste

Umami (say: oo-MAH-mee) is a yummy, brothy and a little meaty taste you notice in foods like cheese, meat, seafood, and mushrooms. It is one of the five main tastes your tongue can feel — sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami.

How to imagine umami

Think of umami like a tiny helper that makes food taste fuller and more delicious. It doesn’t shout like salt or sugar; it’s more like a cozy warm blanket that makes other flavors pop.

Foods that have umami

• Cheese (like parmesan)
• Cooked meat or chicken broth
• Mushrooms
• Tomatoes (especially cooked ones)
• Soy sauce and miso (used a little bit — ask a grown-up)

Simple tasting activity (ask a grown-up to help)

1. Get a tiny piece of plain cracker or slice of bread and taste it. Notice how it tastes.
2. Now try a tiny piece of cracker with a little bit of cheese or a sip of warm chicken/vegetable broth. Do you notice a richer, fuller taste? That extra yummyness is umami.
3. Try a cooked tomato or a mushroom bite and see if it also tastes fuller.

Why umami is special

Umami helps food taste more complete and makes other flavors seem stronger — like turning up the volume on your favorite song. It’s why a little bit of cheese or a spoon of broth can make a meal taste much better.

Tip: Always taste small amounts and have a grown-up help when trying new foods.