Why does salt bring out the flavor in food?

Answer 1

We only detect 5 tastes; salt, sour, sweet. bitter and umami. In addition to
it being one of the basic tastes, salt acts to enhance flavours by amplifying
the response in other taste receptors. A little salt added to a sugar solution
can act to make it taste sweeter.

Answer 2

A study conducted in 1984 by Marianne Gillette of McCormick & Company, Inc., Hunt Valley MD, tested the effect of salt in a number of products. She concluded that the addition of salt affects the overall flavor of the products in five areas:

>Mouthfeel. Salted products were perceived as thicker or less watery.
>Sweetness. Adding salt enhanced the sweetness, in some cases to a higher degree than the increase in saltiness.
>Metallic or chemical off-notes. Salt often decreased or masked these flavors.
>Flavor balance. Salt rounded out the balance, blended flavors together and increased the perception of flavor intensity.
>Saltiness. The increase in the perception of saltiness depended on the level used and the product.

Answer 3

To me, pepper brings out the flavour. I have to watch the salt intake. Dang high blood pressure.

Answer 4

This is a loaded question. More like a statement with a question mark on the end. By the by, salt causes your salivary glands to salivate.

Answer 5

I think salt is something that excites our sense of taste, may be there is some romance between tongue and salt and as a result of that we get such pleasing salty taste in our mouth.......anything is possible.....you never know..........

Answer 6

salt is sodium chloride
so this compound reacts with our food or our saliva
therefore we get the salty taste

Answer 7

salt adds flavour. it doesnt necessarily bring out flavour.

Answer 8

It's a good seasoning.