If your dish tastes "too little", start by considering whether it might lack salt. Salt can be enough to bring out the other flavours, so this is a good place to start your tasting. In addition to salt, you could use soy, fish sauce or anchovies, all of which contribute salty flavour. See the other sources of salty flavour here.
The dish can then be balanced with acid. This could be a little balsamic, condimento, lemon or lime. Add a little at a time and taste between each addition to avoid an overly acidic taste.
You can find inspiration for the sour taste here.
Now, a little sugar, sweet juice, honey or other sweetness may be just the thing to put the finishing touch. Try again a little at a time and taste. Other sweetening ingredients can be found here.
If you're missing depth of flavour - or something "indeterminate" and you can't quite work out what it is you're missing - umami can be a good place to start. The umami flavour comes from things like parmesan cheese, onions, seaweed, fried mushrooms, tomatoes and especially sun-dried tomatoes. Umami also enhances salt and generally adds depth to the flavour. You can read more about umami and find more ideas on how to add that coveted umami flavour here.
Flavour-wise, a little bitterness can add some extra edge to your food. Try experimenting with adding bitter flavours via arugula, walnuts, grapefruit, lemon zest or cocoa, for example - bitter flavours balance the fatty, creamy, salty and sweet. Read more about bitter ingredients and what they contribute here.
Strong spices and flavours can easily overpower, so tread carefully and add a little at a time. Added in the right doses, strong flavours actually help to enhance other flavours rather than overpower them. Get ideas on how to use spicy and hot ingredients here.
Play and experiment!
There is, of course, no definitive answer when it comes to tasting. So it's all about tasting and trying, experimenting with flavours and sometimes challenging yourself a little. Because even the flavours you might not normally prefer can turn out to be winners when paired with other flavours. It's all about balance. And it's also about taste - and taste is subjective!
EXPLORATION SVANSØ
GOOD TASTE IN GOOD COMPANY
At Svansø , we are deeply passionate about everything we do. Our products are full of great taste and are based exclusively on pure, high-quality raw materials. We want healthy living to be a joy, and whether you're looking for flavourful accompaniments to your dishes or dreaming of becoming a master baker in your own kitchen, we've got the green solutions for you.
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