Questions about the taste sense, Umami...

Question

How was the taste called umami discovered and what is the sense exactly?

Answer 1

some japanese guy found it in the early 20th century and it means 'tasty' or 'savory'. it is caused by free glutamic acid and is present in meat, cheese, soy sauce, oyster sauce, mushrooms and tomatoes. another free amino acid, asparagine, is what gives the savory taste to asparagus tips. however umami only applies to glutamic acid/glutamate.

Answer 2

Umami is a Japanese word meaning savory, a "deliciousness" factor deriving specifically from detection of the natural amino acid, glutamic acid, or glutamates common in meats, cheese, broth, stock, and other protein-heavy foods. The action of umami receptors explains why foods treated with monosodium glutamate (MSG) often taste "heartier".

Acknowledged subjectively as a special taste by Eastern civilizations for generations.