As 2005 Emerges as the Year of the Asian Cuisine; Umami Emerges as the “Fifth Taste” (3/3)

*As a flavor balancer, umami can highlight flavors by contrasting, canceling or balancing. Umami-rich ingredients can balance strong ingredients, mellow sharpness, and highlight hot/savory/sweet tastes. These benefits are demonstrated in formulations that contain Chinese five-spice powder, Asian sauces (that contain umami) and soy sauce (that also contains umami), with or without garlic and ginger. *As a flavor catalyst, umami provides backbone flavor, and keeps primary flavors from disappearing. http://www.worldwidewords.org