Discover Five Series and Films with References to the Fifth Taste of the Palate

https://www.portalumami.com.br/sobre/alimentos-ricos-em-umami/ For those who enjoy gastronomy and want to dive deeper into the topic while having fun, umami has been making a splash on the small screen.

São Paulo, May 2022 – For those who love gastronomy and enjoy watching series and films about the topic, streaming platforms are packed with scenes that teach recipes and share information—such as about the umami taste. Although it was discovered more than a hundred years ago, the fifth basic taste of the palate was unknown to many Brazilians until recently.

The experience with this taste was already there, present in delicious, succulent foods that, when eaten, increase salivation and prolong flavor in the mouth. However, not everyone realized that this happens due to the presence of glutamic acid, which enables the recognition of the umami taste on the palate.

Tomatoes, mushrooms, corn, and Parmesan cheese are umami foods you probably already know. And, increasingly, cooking shows and audience-favorite TV series talk about the fifth taste and their experiences with it.

The Umami Committee has selected a few film, series, and TV recommendations that mention the fifth taste. Grab some umami snacks to go with your movie night!

Check out five must-watch streaming picks below!

Abe
This film tells the story of Abe, a 12-year-old boy who loves cooking and, in his adventures, takes a tour through the world of the fifth taste. Abe cooks to unite his family, which is half Palestinian and half Israeli. A cultural and gastronomic gem.

Series: Upload
In episode nine of the first season of Upload—a dramedy set in 2033 in which humans can “upload” themselves into virtual afterlives—the characters are thrilled to add bitter, sour, and umami to their palate—and how that will make a big difference!

Nadiya’s Time to Eat (Cooking with Nadiya)
In Nadiya’s Time to Eat, the host’s mission is to help busy families make the most of their time through delicious quick recipes with essential, everyday ingredients. In the very first episode, she makes spring rolls with mushrooms—one of the foods rich in umami. Worth a watch!

Somebody Feed Phil
In episode two of season two of Somebody Feed Phil, Phil goes searching for his wife Monica’s Irish roots and has a delightful experience with boxty (Irish potato pancakes) and seaweed. Glutamate and inosinate are among the substances found in fish and other foods from the sea—compounds that deliver the umami experience.

RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars
In episode six of season five of RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars, the contestants had to create two stunning looks for a “Backyard Ball,” a classic garden barbecue. Jujubee, one of the queens, says that if she could, her campaign theme would be: “Jujubee for MSG.” She’s clearly passionate about adding monosodium glutamate to her recipes, which brings out the umami taste.

To learn more about the fifth basic taste of the human palate, you can find a list of umami-rich foods and several studies at: https://www.portalumami.com.br/sobre/alimentos-ricos-em-umami/

UMAMI
It is the fifth basic taste of the human palate, discovered in 1908 by Japanese scientist Kikunae Ikeda. It was scientifically recognized in 2000, when researchers at the University of Miami confirmed the existence of specific receptors for this taste on the taste buds. The amino acid glutamic acid and the nucleotides inosinate and guanylate are the main umami substances. The two main characteristics of umami are increased salivation and the persistence of taste for a few minutes after eating. To learn more, visit www.portalumami.com.br and also follow on social media at facebook.com/gostoumami and instagram.com/ogostoumami.