On 2015-08-07, dsi1 > wrote:

> cuisine. Only a Japanese could have discovered "umami."

Hate to burst yer bubble, but only the Japanese could have named
"umami".

Americans have been eating and using "umami" for over half a century.
We jes never applied a term to it. I know cuz I've been eating pizza
and spaghetti heavily dosed w/ Parmesan cheese for even longer. Plus,
in the 50s, Ac'cent brand MSG was huge in America. The very first
recipe box I ever remember seeing was an old Ac'cent box. It was only
since the great Chinese restaurant scare (totally disproved) that
Americans have backed away from MSG. That still didn't impair their
love for pizza/spaghetti, which is allegedly loaded with "umami"
(tomatoes, parm).

I'm gonna try an experiment. Dashi, the ubiquitous Japanese soup
broth, is considered to be THE food that distinguishes and isolates(?)
"umami". I've made it once before, so will make it again and see what
I discover.

I will make REAL dashi using kombu seaweed and dried bonito flakes. I
long ago changed to instant dashi, but for the sake of science I will
make it from scratch, despite bonito flakes being expensive as Hell
out here in the boonies. Stay tuned.

nb