umami, savory or meaty taste, one of the five fundamental taste sensations. The taste of umami is derived from three natural substances found in meat and vegetables: glutamate, guanylate, and inosinate. The umami taste receptor has the ability to distinguish between these naturally occurring substances; it is notably sensitive to monosodium glutamate (MSG), a sodium salt of glutamate that is used as a food additive, particularly in Asian cuisines. MSG elicits the unique taste of umami and thus enhances the complex flavours of meat, poultry, seafood, and vegetables. Foods with natural umami taste include mushrooms, tomatoes, seaweed, and cheese; cured meats and fermented foods, such as soy sauce and kimchi, are also rich in umami.