Exploring the Taste of Herbs
We often say that herbs speak your body’s language, and taste is one of the many ways we can connect with
plants. It’s also crucial in organoleptic analysis, where sight, smell, and taste are used to ensure the
correct identification of raw herbs.
The primary tastes in herbalism are sour, sweet, salty, bitter, and umami. The taste of a plant comes
from their phytochemicals. When you smell the plant and taste it on your tongue, it signals a response
in your body. The sensations can range from increasing saliva to activating the body’s digestive
process.
Get to know the 5 main tastes you’ll come across in herbalism, along with some ideas for embracing the
flavor of herbs.