James Silverton wrote:
>
> Is this for real? Umami is the fifth sense of taste and is usually
> increased with MSG. However, I have heard that there is paste made from
> special mushrooms that is supposed to impart umami. Probably the
> mushrooms are high on glutamate.

If I recall correctly, the flavor enhancer in mushrooms
is 5'-guanosine monophosphate, a.k.a. disodium guanylate.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disodium_guanylate