Eating, Drinking, and Serving Food - Tastes and Flavors

sweetness [noun]

the sensory experience of a pleasing or sugary flavor

Ex: The sweetness of the tropical fruit punch made it a favorite among the party guests .

sourness [noun]

the sharp or tangy flavor often associated with acidic or tart substances

Ex: The yogurt had a pleasant sourness , creating a delicious contrast in the dessert .

saltiness [noun]

the characteristic taste sensation associated with the presence of salt in food

Ex: The chef adjusted the recipe to achieve the right level of saltiness in the soup .

bitterness [noun]

the sharp and unpleasant taste often found in coffee, dark chocolate, or certain vegetables

Ex: The bitterness of the medicine made it challenging to swallow .

umami [noun]

‌a taste that is not sour, bitter, salty, or sweet, found in some foods such as meat, etc.

Ex:

pungency [noun]

the strong, sharp taste or sensation often associated with spicy or intensely flavored foods

Ex: The aged cheese was appreciated for its strong aroma and pungency .

spiciness [noun]

the quality of having a strong or fiery taste due to the presence of spices or chili peppers

Ex: The spiciness of the ginger in the stir-fry brought depth and warmth to the flavors .

hotness [noun]

the level of spiciness or heat in food

Ex: The chef 's specialty dish was known for its perfect balance of hotness and savory flavors .

coolness [noun]

a refreshing, mild, or soothing sensation in the mouth, often associated with mint, menthol, or cucumber

astringency [noun]

the dry, puckering, or rough sensation experienced in the mouth, often caused by substances like tannins in tea or unripe fruits

Ex: The unripe persimmon had a noticeable astringency that softened as it ripened .

metallicness [noun]

a taste, aroma, or sensation resembling that of metal such as certain medicines or amalgam dental fillings

acidic [adjective]

(of flavour) tangy and sour, often due to the presence of acid

Ex: The wine was too acidic for my taste , leaving a sharp aftertaste .

astringent [adjective]

having a sharp, bitter, or sour taste

Ex: A well-brewed black coffee can have an astringent edge , especially if it is made with dark roast beans .

bitter [adjective]

having a strong taste that is unpleasant and not sweet

Ex: He winced at the bitter aftertaste of the dark chocolate , preferring sweeter varieties .

bittersweet [adjective]

having a taste that is a blend of both bitter and sweet flavors

Ex: The dark caramel sauce had a truly bittersweet flavor , with intense bitterness and a luscious sweetness .

brackish [adjective]

describing water that is slightly salty, typically where freshwater mixes with seawater

Ex: The fisherman explained that certain fish thrive in brackish environments .

hot [adjective]

(of food) having a spicy or peppery flavor that causes a burning sensation in the mouth

Ex: The restaurant is known for its hot wings that challenge even the bravest eaters .

mild [adjective]

having a flavor that is not sharp or overpowering

Ex: The tea was mild , with a subtle , soothing taste .

robust [adjective]

featuring a rich taste

Ex: The red wine boasted a robust profile , with a full-bodied and complex flavor .

savory [adjective]

(of food) salty or spicy rather than sweet

Ex:

seasoned [adjective]

(of food) flavored with spices, herbs, or other ingredients to improve its taste and smell

Ex: The seasoned potatoes were roasted with rosemary and garlic until golden brown .

sharp [adjective]

describing a flavor that is intense and tangy, often with a biting or pungent quality

Ex: The sharp zest of the citrus fruit brightened up the otherwise bland dish .

sour [adjective]

having a sharp acidic taste like lemon

Ex: She loves the sour taste of grapefruit in the morning .

spicy [adjective]

having a strong taste that gives your mouth a pleasant burning feeling

Ex:

sweet-and-sour [adjective]

(of food) cooked in a way that tastes both sweet and sour

sweetish [adjective]

characterized by a taste that is somewhat sweet but not overwhelmingly so

Ex: The sweetish hint in the tea made it a gentle and soothing beverage .

syrupy [adjective]

having an overly sweet flavor

Ex:

tart [adjective]

having a sharp taste that stings the tongue

Ex: The yogurt was pleasantly tart and refreshing .

unsalted [adjective]

(of food) not containing added salt

Ex: The chef prepared unsalted butter cookies , allowing the sweetness to shine without added saltiness .

watery [adjective]

having too much water and little taste

Ex: She added too much liquid to the batter , resulting in a watery consistency for the pancake mix .

tang [noun]

a sharp and distinctive taste, typically associated with acidity or a lively and refreshing quality

Ex: The fermented kimchi added a spicy tang to the Korean dish , enhancing its complexity .

savor [noun]

the distinctive and enjoyable taste or aroma of food or drink

Ex: The freshly baked bread filled the kitchen with a warm and inviting savor .

bite [noun]

the intense taste experience of food, particularly characterized by a sharp or strong flavor

Ex: The hot sauce added a bold bite to the dish , leaving a spicy kick .

aftertaste [noun]

the lingering flavor that remains in the mouth after eating or drinking something

Ex: The rich dark chocolate had a bittersweet aftertaste that pleased the palate .

savoriness [noun]

the state of having a delicious taste

oleogustus [noun]

a unique taste sensation that is attributed to the perception of fats or lipids in food

supertaster [noun]

an individual who has a heightened sense of taste and is more sensitive to the flavors and sensations in food and beverages

acquired taste [noun]

something that one dislikes first but starts to like it with the passage of time

briny [adjective]

having the taste of salt

Ex: Wading in the shallows , the children felt the briny water on their skin as waves washed over the sand .

earthy [adjective]

having characteristics of soil or the earth, often associated with flavors such as mushrooms, root vegetables, or certain types of wine

fruity [adjective]

having a sweet, fresh, or juicy taste or smell associated with various types of fruits

Ex:

full-bodied [adjective]

(of drinks) having a rich and intense flavor

nutty [adjective]

having a taste or aroma reminiscent of nuts, often rich, earthy, and slightly sweet

Ex: The brown rice had a nutty aroma and taste , providing a wholesome side dish .

rich [adjective]

containing a high amount of fat, sugar, or other indulgent ingredients

Ex: The dessert was rich and decadent , featuring a buttery crust and a filling of sweet caramel .

smoky [adjective]

having a taste like smoke

Ex:

tangy [adjective]

having a sharp, refreshing taste with a slight sourness or acidity

Ex: The barbecue sauce was perfectly balanced , featuring a tangy blend of tomatoes , vinegar , and spices .

yeasty [adjective]

having a taste or aroma resembling yeast, often found in bread, beer, or other fermented foods

Ex: The sourdough pancakes had a tangy and yeasty flavor , offering a unique twist on a classic breakfast dish .

zesty [adjective]

(of food) having a sharp, strong, and refreshing taste

Ex: The zesty lemonade was refreshing on a hot summer day , with its tart and citrusy taste .

woody [adjective]

describing a flavor or aroma that is reminiscent of wood, often earthy, rich, and sometimes slightly sweet or spicy

Ex:

Eating, Drinking, and Serving Food
Types of Meal	Parts of Meals	Types of Food or Drink	Tastes and Flavors
Consistency and Texture	Eating	Drinking	Alcohol Consumption
Dieting	Human Nutrition	Meal Venues	Eating Out