Nick Cramer wrote:
> Is this just a marketing ploy by Kikkoman? Seems to me that you get umami
> when you have the right balance of sweet, sour, salty, bitter (and
> spicy/hot) for the dish you're preparing.
>
> Spicy/hot. Maybe that should be the fifth flavor. Wide range of
> intensities, durations and location of effects (different parts of the
> mouth, tongue, throat), sweat (face, brow, top or back of head, back).
>
> Please educate me. Thanks.
>

I actually heard the word used on the radio yesterday, on an NPR
pre-Thanksgiving food discussion. Its not just a marketing ploy, though.

You find umami in msg, of course, but also mushrooms, seaweed, bacon,
cheeses, soy sauce, and I forget what else. Adding something with it to
any dish will improve it.

Ian