Healthy Eating and 6 Tastes in Ayurveda — Ayurveda Vancouver

The 6 tastes

The six tastes: sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent are recognized as follows.

Sweet taste is found in foods such as grains, fruits, and dairy products. It is believed to nourish and pacify the body and mind. Sour taste is found in foods such as citrus fruits, yogurt, and fermented foods. It is believed to stimulate digestion and increase appetite.

Salty taste is found in foods such as, you guessed it, salt, as well as in seafood and soy sauce. It is believed to stimulate digestion, increase thirst and taste sensation. Pungent taste is found in foods such as chilli peppers, ginger, and garlic. It is believed to stimulate digestion and clear congestion.

Bitter taste is found in foods such as leafy greens, turmeric, and bitter gourd. It is believed to detoxify the body and improve digestion. Astringent taste is found in foods such as beans, lentils, and some fruits. It is believed to dry up excess moisture in the body and tighten and tone tissues.

Incorporating all six tastes in our daily meals can help to balance the doshas and keep us in good shape.