Discover the Power of Umami: The Fifth Taste
Umami, often called the "fifth taste," was identified over a century ago by Japanese chemist Kikunae Ikeda. Translated as "the essence of deliciousness," it adds rich, savory depth to dishes, alongside sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. What makes umami unique is its ability to make food taste fuller and more satisfying, often found in dishes like ramen, grilled meats, and aged cheeses. Foods rich in umami, like mushrooms, tomatoes, seaweed, and Parmesan, naturally elevate the flavor experience by activating your taste buds.
How Can Umami Help Reduce Salt?
Umami naturally enhances the savory notes in food, allowing you to use less salt without sacrificing flavor. It’s an ideal choice for reducing sodium, as chefs and home cooks often rely on umami to create balanced, flavorful dishes. Whether you're making soups, stews, or roasted vegetables, umami makes meals taste better and healthier.
Explore Our Umami-Boosting Seasonings
Our collection of umami-rich seasonings is designed to make it easy to incorporate this savory boost into everyday meals. Here are the top 6 recommendations:
- MSG: A pure flavor enhancer used worldwide, MSG brings out the best in your cooking by amplifying umami with just a pinch. It has a 1/3rd of the sodium as salt.
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Umami Mix: Our all-purpose seasoning blend, packed with umami-rich ingredients with no added MSG. Adds depth to vegetables, meats, and grains.
- Mushroom Boost: A blend of seven dried mushrooms provide an intense umami kick that works wonders in sauces, soups, and roasted dishes. Salt-free!
- Furikake: A bold, spicy blend that adds crunchy texture and savory heat, with layers of umami from fermented miso and seaweed. Perfect for sprinkling over noodles, rice, or veggies.
- Seaweed Salt: A 1:1 blend of mineral-rich seaweeds and salt, delivering umami while helping you use less sodium.
- Savory Salt: This balanced blend of salt and umami-packed seasonings delivers a quick, flavorful boost to any dish.
