Unexplainable How umami blew up taste
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Feb 5, 2025 Kumiko Ninomiya, known as the 'Umami Mama', is a pioneering biochemist who played a vital role in labeling umami as the fifth basic taste. She discusses how umami enriches culinary experiences and the historical controversies surrounding MSG. The conversation dives into the evolution of taste, exploring the potential for more than just five recognized flavors. Emerging concepts like fat as a sixth taste highlight the scientific excitement in taste perception, suggesting a more complex world of flavors yet to be explored.
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Umami Mama's Mission
- Kumiko Ninomiya, nicknamed "Umami Mama", champions the recognition of umami as a basic taste.
- Ajinomoto hired her to promote umami research after facing anti-MSG backlash.
The Big Four Tastes
- Taste is a complex sensory experience linked to evolution and survival.
- The four basic tastes—sweet, salty, bitter, and sour—each correspond to essential nutrients or potential dangers.
Overcoming Skepticism
- Initially, there was skepticism in the US regarding umami as a basic taste, possibly due to it being seen as a marketing ploy by MSG companies.
- Kumiko aimed to build a network of scientists interested in umami research to address this skepticism.