Source: www.eattasteheal.com/ETH_6tastes.htm.
Taste is one of the five senses of human. The taste concept refers to the ability to detect flavors of substances such as food, certain minerals, and toxins (toxins). In humans and other vertebrates, taste sensation is combined with a partial sense of smell in the brain's perception of taste. In the West, four traditional taste sensations are identified: salty, sweet, sour, and bitter. Meanwhile, Eastern people think that there are five basic tastes: salty, sweet, sour, spicy, and bitter.
But in Ayurveda, there are six tastes or Rasas: sweet, salty, bitter, sour, pungent, and astringent. Each taste is made up of 5 elements: Space/ Ether, Air, Earth, Water, and Fire. Cosmic life energy manifests itself in the form of 3 different energies, also known as doshas. Those three doshas are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Each of them has a disparate impact on these three doshas. When these three doshas are imbalanced, they can help you balance your energy.
Here are some key features of each dosha to help you determine which dosha group you belong to:
· Pitta (Fire + Water): Smart, hard-working, and assertive. People prone to this dosha factor often have a moderate physical structure, are short-tempered, and may suffer from indigestion, heart disease, or high blood pressure.
· Vata (Air + Ether): Creative, energetic, and active. People with this dosha are usually thin with a light skeleton. They may experience some digestive problems, fatigue, or anxiety when imbalanced.
· Kapha (Earth + Water): Calm and loyal. People with the dosha Kapha factor usually have more robust bodies and may have problems with weight, asthma, depression, or diabetes.
Each type of dosha is suitable for different kinds of eating. For example, people in the Vata group should avoid cold food, increase butter and fat; pitta people should eat sweet fruits like mango, melon, and should not try spicy seasoning. Kapha people should reduce grease and focus on vegetables.
Sweet (decreases Vata and Pitta, increases Kapha)
The sweet taste is a combination of Water and Earth. Sugar cane is most often associated with this flavor. Sweet is also found in milk and dairy products (like butter, cake, and ice cream), most cereals (mainly rice and wheat), legumes (such as peas and beans), sweet fruits (like strawberries and Watermelons), and some cooked vegetables (such as carrots and corns)
Natural sweet taste increases bulk, moisture, and body weight. If you eat sweet food in moderation, it helps increase longevity, strength, and have good hAir, skin, nails. This taste reduces depression and the lower the risk of diabetes.
Sour (decreases Vata, increases Pitta and Kapha)
The sour taste is comprised of Earth and Fire. This taste is hot, moisture, and light by nature. Sour is often found in some fruit (like oranges and limes), dairy products (such as yogurt, cheese, and sour cream), some fermented stuff (like soy sauce, wine, and vinegar).
If you eat sour foods in moderation, it helps stimulate digestion, circulation, and elimination. It also provides energy for the body, enhances the heart's strength, reduces thirst, maintains acidity, sharpens the senses, and helps extract minerals like iron from food for your blood.
Salty (decreases Vata, increases Pitta and Kapha)
The salty taste is made of Fire and Water. It is the best taste for Vata people because of its foundation and hydration properties. Its heat can worsen Pitta and Kapha. Salty can be found in any salt, sea vegetables, tamari, and black olives.
In moderation, the salty taste makes the dish more delicious and easier to eat. It helps stimulate digestion, electrolyte balance, cleanses tissue, and increases mineral absorption. However, overeating salty is overwhelming for kidneys, blood, and skin.
Pungent (increases Vata and Pitta, decreases Kapha)
Fire and Air are the elements of Pungent. The pungent taste can be found in spicy foods and many herbs and seasonings. Some examples of pungent foods: chilies, gingers, onions, garlic, mustard, and hot spices.
The pungent taste stimulates digestion, reduces sinus disease. It makes you sweating and detox because the spicy and hot taste makes your body feel so hot. Pungent food helps clean the mouth and clarify the sensory organs. It also helps support blood circulation and metabolism. But if you eat a lot of pungent food, it affects the health of your stomach; the noticeable signs are gastritis, vomiting, heartburn, burning pain, or causing gastric reflux from the stomach to the esophagus causing burns burning behind the sternum.
Bitter (increases Vata, decreases Pitta and Kapha)
Bitter taste derives from the elements of Air and Space. Bitter foods are sometimes despised in the culinary world because of their intense flavor that can be unpleasant to picky eaters. However, bitter foods are incredibly nutritious and contain a variety of plant chemicals that have significant health benefits. The bitter taste is often found in some vegetables (such as spinach, green cabbage, and purple fish), herbs (such as turmeric, pecan, and dandelion root), coffee, green tea, wine and some fruits (like bitter melon, cocoa).
Bitter taste helps lower the risks of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Enhance intestinal, eye health, and improve liver function better.
Astringent (increases Vata, decreases Pitta and Kapha)
Astringent taste is the combination of Air and Earth. This taste is cool, dry, and heavy. Astringent taste is found in fruits (like bananas, green grapes, pomegranates, cranberries), legumes (such as mung beans) and vegetables (like okra).
Many beans and legumes are astringent and can cause gas so that Vata should eat those foods in moderation. Pitta benefits most from the coolness of the flavor, and its light, dry properties help balance Kapha. Like bitter taste, astringent will help purify the spirit and reduce the risk of cancer.
Work cited:
Press., Five Elements. "The Six Tastes of Food: Sweet, Sour, Salty, Bitter, Pungent, Astringent." Eattasteheal, www.eattasteheal.com/ETH_6tastes.htm.
Eisler, Melissa, et al. “The 6 Tastes of Ayurveda.” The Chopra Center, 2 Mar. 2018, chopra.com/articles/the-6-tastes-of-ayurveda.
Julson, Erica. "9 Bitter Foods That Are Good for You." Healthline, Healthline Media, www.healthline.com/nutrition/bitter-foods.
"Astringent Taste." Banyan Botanicals, www.banyanbotanicals.com/info/ayurvedic-living/living-ayurveda/diet/six-tastes/astringent-taste/.
Edwin McDonald, MD. "A Hot Topic: Are Spicy Foods Healthy or Dangerous?" UChicago Medicine, UChicago Medicine, 23 Sept. 2018, www.uchicagomedicine.org/forefront/health-and-wellness-articles/spicy-foods-healthy-or-dangerous.
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