Relationship between Umami and Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), sources, and discovery

Image by dreamstime

Discovery of Umami and MSG

The use of Umami and MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) are closely related topics that have been discussed and researched extensively since the 1980. It was all started by Japanese chemist Kikunae Ikedas after he investigated the tastes of his wife’s rich kelp broth. Ever since, many discoveries such as receptor locations on the tongue have led to the understanding of this elusive flavor. When we eat, there are several factors that contribute to the flavor of food. One of these factors are the taste buds – small sensory organs on the tongue. The taste buds are composed of several taste cells that react to taste stimuli. They are situated on microvilli of taste buds in papillae. As you can see in the picture above, umami taste is located in the middle of the tongue.

Flavor and some book recommendations

Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/184155072240997265/

The diagram above shows one part of flavor. As you remember, aroma is part of flavor – aroma, mouthfeel, and taste. The diagram above breaks down the aroma of mandarin into several aromatic smells. As Holmes from the flavor book mentions, “There’s even a commercial service (http://www.foodpairing.com/en/home), for a monthly subscription, will let professional chefs and enthusiastic amateurs start with any ingredient and follow a web of molecular similarities to find other foods with supposedly complementary flavors.” A flavorists can improve the flavor of food and beverage products. The diagram can assist the flavorist to pair ingredients together. Also, chefs are well-versed in molecular gastronomy. They can combine several ingredients to get the right flavor in a dish. A combination of both – food science & culinary science – creates a field called culinology. There is a team of chefs, flavorists, food scientists, and other specialists that work together to make the right flavor. For example, reducing the salt content of food would require an adjustment to creaminess, and mouthfeel of a product. The flavorist works on different flavor combinations. The next step includes evaluating the product with the team. Each person gives the product a taste to see if the product is acceptable. This is done to evaluate the mouthfeel, taste, aroma, and acceptability of the product after the salt reduction.