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The Science of Food

March 30, 2025

What Is Umami? The Science Behind the Fifth Basic Taste

Discover the science of umami. Learn how taste receptors, glutamic acid, and MSG interact on the tongue to create the savory 5th basic taste. Continue reading

Bitter, Sweet, Taste, Taste buds, Taste perception, Umami

Bitter, evolution, flavour, Food, food science, monosodium glutamate, MSG, salt, Science, sour, Sweet, Taste, Taste buds, Taste perception, Umami

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About Me

I’m a scientist with over twenty years of experience as a medical researcher. I’m also an amateur cook. Tired of bumbling around the kitchen and being misled by weird internet recipes I decided to see if science could help me be a better cook. This blog is the result.

You can read more about me here, if you are interested.

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