What is Umami?

w/ Kayoko Akabori + Yoko Kumano from Umami Mart
A discussion and demonstration; includes a tasting of select food and wine will be served.
 

Ever wonder what exactly umami is, or what it tastes like? Ask a chef in Japan, and they’ll usually just say that it means “delicious.” But… what is “delicious” exactly?

Please join us for a special evening of discovering umami through tasting and comparison. We’ll go through the history and science of umami (breast milk, anyone?) and taste all five elements (sweet, sour, bitter, salty and umami). We will then investigate all of the umami-rich ingredients that can improve home cooking.

TASTING
Cucumber with ume
Preserved squid
Yokan (Japanese red bean cake)
Senbei (rice crackers)
Red wine

DEMONSTRATION
Homemade Dashi Broth (and its many uses)