Archive · 25 Jul 2025
Umami Takes Center Stage in India's Fine Dining and Spirits
Imagine you're eating something super yummy – that's umami!
It's a special taste, like the bass in music, that makes food richer and more satisfying.
In India, chefs and bartenders are now using umami to make their dishes and drinks extra delicious.
They're using ingredients like mushrooms, soy sauce, and fermented foods.
Even a fancy whisky company made a special drink to taste like umami!
This trend shows that people are starting to appreciate how tasty and interesting Indian food can be.
Umami, the savory 'fifth taste,' is gaining prominence in India's fine dining and spirits.
Chefs are incorporating umami-rich ingredients and techniques, such as fermentation and aging, into their dishes.
Mixologists are experimenting with umami in cocktails, using ingredients like mushroom vermouth and fermented fruit syrups.
Diageo India launched Johnnie Walker Blue Label Elusive Umami, a whisky blend designed to capture the taste of umami.
The trend reflects a broader appreciation for the complexity and cultural richness of Indian cuisine.
- Who
- Chefs, mixologists, and the general public.
- What
- Umami, the savory fifth taste, is becoming a prominent focus in India's fine dining and spirits.
- When
- Recently, with a surge in its recognition and utilization.
- Where
- Across India, in fine dining restaurants and bars.
- Why
- To enhance flavors and celebrate the complexity of Indian cuisine.
Traditional View
Modern View
Perception of Indian Cuisine
Traditional View
Indian cuisine often pigeonholed as spicy, oily, or sweet.
Modern View
Indian cuisine is recognized for its complexity and elegance.
- Definition of Umami
- Pleasant savory taste.
- Umami Discovery
- Identified in 1908 by Dr. Kikunae Ikeda.
- Key Ingredients
- Mushrooms, soy sauce, aged cheese, tomatoes.
- Notable Chefs
- Suvir Saran, Prateek Sadhu, Manish Mehrotra, Ashish Sharma, Agnibh Mukherjee.
- Umami in Spirits
- Use of mushroom vermouth, fermented fruit syrups, and Johnnie Walker Blue Label Elusive Umami.