Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) recognizes five distinct tastes: sweet, sour, bitter, pungent, and salty.
Sweet taste: In TCM, sweet taste is associated with the spleen and stomach and is considered to have a nourishing and tonifying effect on the body. Foods that are sweet in taste include grains, sugars, and root vegetables such as carrots and sweet potatoes.
Sour taste: Sour taste is associated with the liver and is believed to have a balancing and regulating effect on the body. Foods that are sour in taste include citrus fruits, yogurt, and vinegar.
Bitter taste: Bitter taste is associated with the heart and is believed to have a cooling and purifying effect on the body. Foods that are bitter in taste include dark leafy greens, coffee, and turmeric.
Pungent taste: Pungent taste is associated with the lungs and is believed to have a dispersing and stimulating effect on the body. Foods that are pungent in taste include spices such as ginger, garlic, and chili pepper.
Salty taste: Salty taste is associated with the kidneys and is believed to have a moistening and softening effect on the body. Foods that are salty in taste include salt, soy sauce, and seaweed.
It’s believed that by consuming a balanced diet that includes all five tastes, one can achieve a state of harmony and balance in the body, which is essential for good health according to TCM