Anyone heard of the fifth sense of taste?? If you are asian you probally have!?

Question

I read this article that says there is a fifth sense of taste called "Umami", which means delicious
or robust in Japanese.

If you are from Asia, you've probably seen the familiar white powder of tiny rectangular crystals in the pantry. The bag adorned with vegetables, and famous red Japanese letters---Ajinomoto!!!! or MSG.

Unless you curiously put some of it on your tongue as a child, or "sprinkle a tad" on everything you eat, like my dad, it's going to be hard to explain this as a taste, let alone a flavor! A chicken bouillon cube is how I would describe it.

When I cook, I always put some in my food, in Filipino food it's a must. I see it as a harmless amino acid. Like soy sauce or ketchup,MSG makes things taste better!

Many people in the United States, where I am from, don't know about this stuff! They think of it as an additive to food that is dangerous,causes cancer, or gives them headaches, and like Chinese food without it.

Any thoughts?

http://www.msg.org.au/main.html

for all you non-believers out there!!!

Answer 1

Yes, I've heard of the 5th taste.

I believe the MSG scare in the US is just a media inspired mass hysteria.

Many people complain about MSG headaches from Chinese food, but they'll eat canned foods, processed foods, use bullion cubes, potato chips and other snacks with no MSG problems, even though that stuff is loaded with MSG.

Answer 2

I was thinking about this not long ago, I closed my right eye, then my left eye, and watched as the world shifted left and right. So which position was the world actually? Two positions at once, according to my senses? There are probably a tonne more senses which we simply do not have to ability to sense, the way that a blind mole can not see. That mole doesn't know how much it's missing out on, maybe that's the same with us. A whole different universe full of secrets which we simply do not know about. Nice question

Answer 3

Been reading about this for decades. BTW, My dad financed the FIRST Kikkoman Soy Sauce factory in Wisconsin, many years ago.

I haven't added MSG to my food in decades, but I might try it again.

It's not dangerous, unless the "media" have given you a prejudice.

I love the subtlety & sophistication of Japanese flavor ... It will be curious and challenging to try this again. Maybe in something as simple as a hamburger :-) (But then I would have to leave off the soy sauce or ponzu, to tast the effect of the MSG.)

Answer 4

About MSG sensitivity
Date updated: September 07, 2006
Content provided by: Healthnotes

MSG sensitivity is a set of symptoms that may occur in some people after they consume monosodium glutamate (MSG). The syndrome was first described in 1968 as a triad of symptoms: “numbness at the back of the neck radiating to both arms and the back, general weakness and palpitations.”

MSG is used worldwide as a flavor enhancer. Although many restaurants now avoid the use of MSG, many still use significant amounts. The average person living in an industrialized country consumes about 0.3 to 1.0 gram of MSG per day. MSG is classified by the US Food and Drug Administration as “generally recognized as safe.” Indeed, many researchers have questioned the very existence of a true MSG-sensitivity reaction. Most clinical trials, including some double-blind trials, have failed to find any symptoms arising from consumption of MSG, even large amounts, when taken with food. However, clinical trials have found that MSG taken without food may cause symptoms, though rarely the classic “triad” described above. A large trial and a review of studies on MSG both suggested that large amounts of MSG given without food may elicit more symptoms than a placebo in people who believe they react adversely to MSG. However, persistent and serious effects from MSG consumption have not been consistently demonstrated.

People sensitive to MSG may also react to aspartame (NutraSweet).

This is why many people have stopped using msg in their food preparation it was used quite frequently before but has caused many problems health wise so its not used as much as it was before.

hope this helps. good luck.

Answer 5

My mom's Korean and she's always used MSG until recently. She heard from a friend, who heard from another friend...you get the idea...that it's bad, gives you headaches, will make your hair fall out, and cause cancer.

Hasn't stopped me from putting in a dash or two though. I've never gotten headaches and everything gives people cancer. At least according to the studies where they force feeet rodents massive amounts (usually equal to humans eating a pound or two of the stuff everyday for the rest of their lives) of whatever it is they're studying.

When all the hubbub came out, I did one thing: looked at Americans, looked at Asians, then compared whose diet was healthier and who suffered from a higher incidence of health/dietary issues. Sorry, but I'm keeping my MSG.

Answer 6

I think it's fascinating! Of course, I'm a foodie. I am a dietitian and used to teach nutrition; most students got a question about umami incorrect (altho we covered it numerous times). It's fantastic!

Answer 7

I love it! Chinese food is not Chinese food without it! Almost like a chickon bouillon cube.. though I'd say more like a vegetable bouillon cube, still salty like.

Answer 8

Umami is great! You can get it without msg. I especially like the umami that comes from mushrooms, parmesan, tomatoes, and kombu.

Answer 9

I'm Korean btw. My grandma cooks with it, and it DOES make food taste good, but it's also true that it's bad for you.

Answer 10

I love it and it has never caused any problems for me or the billions of asian people who has used it for hundreds of years.