The 6 tastes - ayurveda
Ever have food cravings for something sweet, salty, sour?
…or can’t resist adding the black pepper, ginger or hot sauce to your food?
You’re probably being guided by your ‘dosha’ (ayurvedic type) & how the 5 elements in, and around your body are balanced at that time. We instinctively know what we need, what we’re drawn to, & what we should probably eat, or drink more of….& the things that really don’t go so well when we consume, or over consume them! This is different for different people, and fluctuates with the seasons and whatever else we are trying to digest in our lives:
Do you prefer salt…or pepper?
Do you love chilli…but can’t tolerate mustard or wasabi?
Do you prefer icey cold water…or does the thought of cold water turn your stomach in knots?
Do you love the heat…or prefer a cold, crisp day?
Lose weight….or gain weight easily?
Get angry…or withdrawn when you’re stressed?
These are all components of our dominant dosha(s) (constitution) and our interaction with the environment on a day to day, week by week basis.
Interested to learn about your dosha type & balance?
There are lots of dosha quizzes on line that can give you an idea and maybe spark an interest in ayurveda and what it can offer you. We love to talk ayurveda so come & chat with Ush or Jane if you want to learn more. If you’re really interested & looking for some guidance to live well with Ayurveda we offer assessment & lifestyle consultations to get you started on your journey.
What are the six tastes in Ayurveda?
Ayurvedia is a health and medical system that originated in India more than 3,000 years ago (see our earlier blog). This way of life is largely focused on food as medicine and includes the "six tastes” as a fundamental concept:
There are six different types of tastes (sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent) and eating all of them (ideally within one meal, or at least within one day) creates a healthy, balanced diet. We are so influenced by other people and the media around different diets, thoughts on food, and what we should and shouldn’t eat to….(fill the blank). Many diets have an emphasis on macronutrients, like carbs, protein, and fats or an overall concern/target around calories. There’s a potential with these approaches to miss out on the micronutrients, like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Eating the six tastes within a meal, or a day encourages you to eat a variety of fruits, vegetables and spices, so you get the micronutrients, as well as the macronutrients (Shah, 2016 Editor - Ayurveda Journal of Health). These micronutrients contribute to immunity, mental clarity, metabolism and optimal function of your body.
The number 1 influence over what we chose to consume is, however, likely to be taste!
The six tastes may not be quite what you imagine: for example milk & rice are considered sweet foods, cauliflower is astringent, celery is salty, raw vegetables are astringent. To determine exactly how much of each tste you should eat and when, its best to consult with an ayurvedic practitioner for a personal assessment. There are lots of sources of information on line and loads of great books on ayurveda and cooking; but here are some typical foods categorised by taste to give you an idea of what can be incorporated into a meal or daily diet:
Sweet: sweet corn, sweet peas, sweet potatoes, grains, fruit, oils, avodaco
Sour: citrus, yoghurt, tomatoes, kimchi, apple cider vinegar, tamarind
Salty: sea salt, sea veggies, celery (anything you sprinkle salt on counts as salty - make sure its a good quality salt though!)
Pungent: black pepper, jalapeños, paprika, ginger, garlic, onioins, hot spices, mustard
Bitter: leafy greens - kale, arugula, spinach, brussel sprouts, asparagus, grapefruit
Astringent: legumes, sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, turnip, most raw vegetables
Each of these tastes incorporate macro- and micronutrients & are are best consumed by following a plant-based diet that's rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables. Our favourite tagline for balanced nutrition is:
eat food
not too much
mainly plants
The 6 tastes - areas of the tongue & related organ function
