If you want to take your cooking to the next level, it’s important that you start working to improve your palate. Your palate is your ability to discern flavor and fully appreciate a plate of food. A powerful palate is what allows you to know which flavors work well together and which don’t. Fortunately, you don’t need to go to chef school to do this. You can increase your food appreciation easily with these simple tips.
Know Your Flavors
The most crucial step in developing your palate is to know your flavors. There are five basic tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami. Umami is the savory taste that you tend to get with meats, cheeses, or mushrooms. Any plate of food will use a combination of these basic flavors.
Become an Adventurer
Try as many different foods as you can, and experiment with as many different combinations of flavors as you can. Over time, you’ll find that you can tell which flavors will go and which won’t.
Cut Down On Sugar
Sugar dulls your taste buds. If you eat too many sugary snacks, your sense of taste will decline and you won’t be able to develop your palate.
Savor Your Food
Take your time with every mouthful you take. Recognize which flavors are in play and how they resonate with one another.
