Umami is a flavour that has now been identified as a basic taste along with bitter, salty, sweet and sour. It is best described as a meaty, savoury flavour. There are many foods that are packed with umami flavour. Since they are naturally flavourful, you do not need to season them too much and that is one of the main reasons why these food items are so healthy.
Top food items with the umami flavour
- Soy-based foods:
Soybeans naturally contain glutamate, a component that offers umami flavours. When soy is fermented and broken down to make other items such as soya sauce, tofu, etc, higher levels of glutamate are released. This is responsible for giving soya natural umami flavour.
- Green tea:
Green tea is always consumed without any additives. This is because it has a beautiful, smooth umami flavour. And as we all know, green tea is packed with nutrients, so having a cup of it proves to be beneficial for your health as well.
- Chicken:
Many types of meat, including chicken, are packed with natural umami flavours. This gives the meat a distinct taste and when you cook it with added spices and seasonings, the taste develops even further. Chicken contains both glutamate and inosinate. These elements give a deep umami flavour to the meat. While 100 gm of chicken has about 50 mg of glutamate, it has over 200 mg of inosinate.
- Tomatoes:
Tomatoes have a very distinct flavour and that is mainly because they are one of the few plant-based foods to be loaded with glutamic acid. For every 3.5 ounces of regular tomatoes, you get 150–250 mg of glutamic acid. This gives a very pleasant taste to these beautiful, red vegetables.
- Mushrooms:
Next on the list, we have mushrooms. Mushrooms are very delicious and offer a meaty texture. Most types of mushrooms have high amounts of glutamic acid in them, but the highest levels are found in shiitake mushrooms with over 1,060 mg for every 100 gm of mushroom.
- Garlic:
Garlic is a wonder food that has several health benefits. However, garlic is also popular for its distinct taste and flavour, much of which is umami in nature. You get 100 mg of glutamic acid in 100 gm of garlic. This is quite a high value and gives garlic a beautiful, rich and meaty umami flavour.
These are some of the most common foods with a natural umami flavour. They are widely available too, so give them a try.
The bottom line
Now that you know more about glutamate and inosinate and how they are responsible for making certain foods taste a certain way, you can start including these healthy ingredients in your daily cooking. Umami is a very interesting flavour and it gives a distinct taste to the food you make. Look for some great recipes involving the food items listed below and make some of the best and most lip-smacking recipes for yourself and your loved ones.
The 90-Second Rule: Controlling Emotional Reactions Mindfully
May 28, 2025
The 90-second rule teaches us to pause and mindfully experience our emotions instead of being controlled by them. Emotions naturally pass if we don’t fuel them with thoughts. By observing the feeling without judgment and letting it flow, we can respond calmly rather than react emotionally. Over time, this practice helps us become more emotionally intelligent and mindful in our everyday interactions. The 90-second rule is a mindfulness technique that helps you manage emotional reactions consciously. It’s based on the idea that emotions like anger, fear, or sadness naturally pass through the body in about 90 seconds—unless we choose to […]
AI Meal Planners: Are They Really Better Than Dieticians?
May 21, 2025
While AI meal planners offer speed, accessibility, and routine tracking, they cannot fully replace the expertise and emotional intelligence of a human dietician. They are useful tools, especially for general or beginner-level nutrition guidance. However, for deeper health needs, lifestyle coaching, or long-term support, dieticians remain the more reliable choice. In essence, AI can assist—but not replace—the human connection and depth a dietician provides. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become increasingly involved in our daily lives, and the world of nutrition is no exception. AI meal planners are apps or software programs that create personalized diet plans using algorithms and user […]
Morning Routines of Highly Productive 30-Somethings in 2025
May 12, 2025
Morning routines in 2025 are no longer defined by hustle alone. For highly productive 30-somethings, they represent a holistic investment in self. The focus is on presence over pressure, quality over quantity, and internal alignment over external noise. Through intentional waking, tech boundaries, physical activity, nourishment, reflection, planning, and personal growth, these individuals shape mornings that support both their inner peace and peak productivity. In 2025, highly productive 30-somethings have fine-tuned their morning routines to create space for clarity, discipline, and purposeful living. These routines are less about rigid rules and more about intention and alignment with personal and professional […]
Running vs. Walking: Which Burns Fat More Efficiently in 2025?
May 06, 2025
In 2025, the choice between running and walking for fat loss is less about which one is “better” and more about which one suits your lifestyle, body, and preferences. Running burns fat more quickly due to its intensity, but walking is safer, more sustainable, and easier to integrate into everyday life. The key is consistency. Whether you prefer the steady pace of walking or the vigorous push of running, both can support your fat-burning goals when practiced regularly. The most effective routine is the one you can enjoy and stick with over time. When it comes to fat loss, both […]
How to FIRE Faster: Aggressive Financial Independence Plans That Work
May 01, 2025
Fast-tracking your path to financial independence is not easy, but it is possible with the right mindset and strategy. By earning more, spending less, investing smartly, and staying disciplined, you can dramatically shorten your journey to early retirement. Aggressive FIRE isn’t for everyone, but for those who embrace the challenge, it offers the ultimate reward: time, freedom, and choice. Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) is a movement that empowers individuals to achieve financial freedom well before the traditional retirement age. While many follow a slow and steady path, others pursue aggressive strategies to reach FIRE faster. These approaches require greater […]