75 Elements of Taste

Essentially there are a handful of elements that compose all of the taste profiles found in the foods we eat. Western definitions of taste conventionally define four major elements of taste:

• Salty
• Sweet
• Sour
• Bitter

Asian cultures have added the following to the list:

• Umami (literally “pleasant savoury taste”)
• Spiciness
• Astringency

Foods and recipes that contain a number of these elements in balance are generally those that we think of as tasting good.