The taste that allows us to taste savory foods is called umami. Umami is often described as a savory, meaty, or brothy taste. It is one of the five basic tastes, alongside sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. Umami is derived from the Japanese word meaning "pleasant savory taste." Foods rich in umami flavor include ingredients like tomatoes, mushrooms, soy sauce, Parmesan cheese, and meats. Umami taste receptors in our taste buds respond to the presence of glutamate, an amino acid found naturally in many foods. Umami adds depth and richness to the overall taste experience.