What is Umami? Its Discovery and Role in Japanese Cuisine
The Discovery of Umami
Umami is known as the “fifth taste,” joining sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. This unique taste was discovered in 1908 by a Japanese scientist, Dr. Kikunae Ikeda. Dr. Ikeda investigated the distinct savory taste found in kombu (kelp) broth and identified glutamic acid as the source of this flavor, which he named “umami.” This discovery introduced umami as a new primary taste alongside sweet and salty.
Diverse Umami Components
Further studies revealed other sources of umami, such as inosinate in bonito flakes and guanylate in shiitake mushrooms. Each of these ingredients has its own flavor profile, adding layers of richness and depth to dishes. Japanese cuisine skillfully combines these diverse sources of umami to create complex and satisfying flavors.
The Role of Umami in Japanese Cuisine
In Japanese cuisine, umami is more than just a flavor; it’s essential for enhancing the natural taste of ingredients. Traditional Japanese cooking techniques emphasize bringing out the inherent flavors of ingredients without over-relying on sugar or salt. Kombu, bonito, and shiitake are used to make “dashi” (broth), which forms the foundation of many Japanese dishes, highlighting and balancing the natural flavors of each component.
Harmony Through Umami
In this way, umami serves as a key component in Japanese cuisine, respecting the flavor of each ingredient and bringing out its natural deliciousness. By incorporating umami, dishes transform from a simple combination of flavors into a harmonious and multi-dimensional experience. This is one reason why Japanese cuisine is renowned worldwide for its deep, subtle, and refined flavors.
Read Next
Continue with The Synergy of Umami and Depth in Cooking, where we explore how different sources of umami combine to create depth and richness in every dish — or start from the basics with What is Dashi?
Taste the fifth element for yourself. Explore our Drinkable Dashi collection — natural, MSG-free, and served at Japan's finest hotels.