This suggestion takes me back to remembering my elderly Mother when she lost her sense of taste as well as smell. It is probably nature’s way of reducing sensations in preparedness for departure to another realm. So this idea isn’t quite as fanciful as it might at first appear.
My first thought, if I had to loose one flavour initially was for the sweetness of sugar, as is so bad for one. All of those delicious sweet tastes: cakes, biscuits, pastries, chocolates, pavlovas with cream and passion-fruit, jams, and the endless list goes on. True, I don’t eat as much of these foods as I once did, but could I live without them completely? I think I’d choose not to.
Reading the list Ben Huberman produced, there’s a word I didn’t recognize, UMANI. Having looked it up, it has many meanings with words like ‘nucleotides’ and ‘L-glutamates’ and ‘glutamic acid’, as well as meaning delicious. Having not known that such a word existed, this is the one I have chosen to give up. It also includes shell- fish, which I’m allergic to, so this makes it a much easier choice. Many of the pre-packaged foods of today include Umani flavours.
I shall stick with fresh fruit and vegetables as my staples which leaves the delicious tastes of sweet, sour, bitter, salty and a little spicy within my repertoire.
Picky Tongues
You have to choose one flavor that your sense of taste will no longer be able to distinguish. Sweet, sour, bitter, salti, Umani, spicy (not taste per se, but we’re generous): which one do you choose to lose? Ben Huberman
http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/picky-tongues/
Hmm, I think I’d give up bitter – I’m presuming lemons come under sour – I think bitter is there to warn us about certain foods, but I’ve reached an age where I sort of know by sight.
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Hilary, it’s interesting to hear you say this. I do like lemons sweetened though! ❤
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I’m with you Barbara – I would happily lose my taste for sweets. It is my nemesis and why I carry the extra weight I do. I’m hopelessly addicted … lose my desire for it? Yes please – where do I sign up?
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Yes, it’s the chocolates after dinner that are a temptation, especially if I have one….
If I don’t start, I’m alright… 🙂
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I’m with you. It’s easier to have none than get the taste in my mouth. Then I’m out of control.
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Just so true!, 🙂
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Yes Sarah, I could live without chilli hot too. I had never heard of umami before, that’s why I thought I could live without it! 🙂
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I think I’d give up spicy if that means chilli hot* because I like it but my tummy doesn’t. I like Japanese food too much to give up umami. I don’t eat desserts very often for the same reason you gave but I couldn’t give them up entirely either. I had the most delicious black forest gateau on my birthday. The memory will keep me going until the next indulgence. 🙂
*I’m a bit confused about the whole “spicy” thing after trying to explain it to my daughter. 😉
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Fruits are good to eat. My favorite are strawberries. But, for some reason, I can not get in with blueberries. I try, but meh! You will be fine. Thanks for posting your thoughts today.
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Yes, ripe strawberries, there’s nothing so delicious as that!
Thanks for your visit and your comment! 😀
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Thanks for the ehugs Raroto! My Mum died 12 years ago, but she’ll always be around me, in thought, if not on that other plane! We were very close, as you are to your Mother. We’re the lucky ones to have a loving relationship with our Mothers.
Shall look for your post today…
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I, too, said Sayonara to the umami ..;)
Sorry to hear about your late Mother, Barbara, hope you’re okay now. *ehugs*
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