umami

1 of 2

noun

uma·mi ü-ˈmä-mē

: the taste sensation that is produced by several amino acids and nucleotides (such as glutamate and aspartate) and has a rich or meaty flavor characteristic of cheese, cooked meat, mushrooms, soy, and ripe tomatoes : savory entry 2 sense 2

Umami is often described as a meaty flavor and is particularly strong in aged or fermented products, like cheese and wine.—

Carla Ranicki

compare bitter entry 2 sense 1b, salty entry 2 sense 1b, sour entry 2 sense 1b, sweet entry 3 sense 2

umami

2 of 2

adjective

: being, inducing, or marked by one of the five basic taste sensations that is typically induced by several amino acids and nucleotides (such as glutamate and aspartate) and has a rich or meaty flavor characteristic of cheese, cooked meat, mushrooms, soy, and ripe tomatoes

A crab risotto made from local crabs is powerful with the big umami flavor of brown meat.—

Jay Rayner

: savory entry 1 sense e compare bitter entry 1 sense 1a, salty entry 1 sense 1b, sour entry 1 sense 1, sweet entry 1 sense 1

Did you know?

A Japanese scientist was the first to discover the savory taste of the amino acid glutamic acid, which was found to occur in soup stocks made with seaweed. This fifth basic taste—alongside sweet, sour, salty, and bitter—was named umami, meaning "savoriness" in Japanese. Umami can be experienced in foods such as mushrooms, anchovies, and mature cheeses, as well as in foods enhanced with monosodium glutamate, or MSG, a sodium salt derived from glutamic acid.

Examples of umami in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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Noun

It’s complemented with garlic and fermented onion mayo, giving the dish its umami. —

Kaila Yu, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024 The umami of the ground beef and acidity of the tomato in this dish fit together with this wine like a hand in a glove. —

Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2024

Adjective

Consider adding a hint of cocoa powder for depth, a splash of Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce for umami, fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley, or a dollop of sour cream or guacamole when serving. —

Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2024 Onions Onions are the workhorses of the home kitchen, providing hidden layers of umami and sweetness to all kinds of dishes. —

Sarah Kuta, The Denver Post, 9 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for umami