Flavour: meaning, definitions and examples

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flavour

[ˈfleɪvə ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

taste

The distinctive taste of a food or drink, determined by the senses of taste and smell. Flavour is a combination of several factors, including aroma, texture, and temperature.

Synonyms

aroma, essence, savor, taste.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
flavour	Used to describe the specific taste of food or drink and can also refer to the overall character or sensation something provides. Often used in cooking and food reviews. The ice cream has a rich chocolate flavour. This dish has a unique flavour that I have never tasted before.
taste	Can describe the sensation perceived by the tongue when eating or drinking. Also used to describe personal preferences or experiences of trying something new. The soup has a very salty taste. She has excellent taste in music.
aroma	Primarily used to describe the pleasant smell of food, drinks, flowers, or sometimes other pleasant scents. Often used in contexts where smell is a prominent feature. The aroma of freshly baked bread filled the room. I love the aroma of freshly brewed coffee in the morning.
savor	Often used to describe the taste or smell of something, emphasizing the enjoyable aspect. It can also metaphorically refer to enjoying an experience fully. Can have a slightly less formal tone compared to 'flavour'. She savored the gourmet meal, enjoying every bite. He wanted to savor the moment of his victory.
essence	Refers to the intrinsic nature or indispensable quality of something, especially something abstract. Can also refer to concentrated extracts used in cooking and scents. The essence of the argument lies in the need for better education. Vanilla essence is often used in baking to enhance the flavor.

Examples of usage

The ice cream had a rich and creamy flavour.
She added some spices to enhance the flavour of the soup.
The wine had a fruity flavour with hints of oak and vanilla.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

cooking

To add a particular taste or quality to food or drink. Flavouring can be done with spices, herbs, or other ingredients.

Synonyms

aromatize, infuse, season, spice.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
flavour	Use when enhancing or describing the taste of food or drink. She used vanilla extract to flavour the cake This soup has a nice, rich flavour
season	Use when adding salt, herbs, or spices to food to enhance its flavor, often done during cooking. Remember to season the steak with salt and pepper She always seasons her pasta sauce with basil
spice	Use when adding or enhancing the taste of food with spices or when making something more interesting or exciting. They spiced the curry with turmeric and cumin She decided to spice up the presentation with some humor
aromatize	Use when adding a pleasant smell to something, often related to culinary or perfumery contexts. Chefs often aromatize dishes with herbs and spices The room was aromatized with lavender oil
infuse	Use when soaking a substance in liquid to extract flavors or properties, typically in culinary, medicinal, or aromatic applications. Let the tea leaves infuse in hot water for five minutes She chose to infuse the oil with garlic

Examples of usage

She flavoured the salad with a zesty vinaigrette dressing.
He prefers to flavour his tea with a hint of honey.
The chef used various herbs to flavour the sauce.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'flavour' comes from the Old French word 'flavour', which means 'to smell' or 'to taste'.
Its roots can be traced back to the Latin word 'flavor', meaning 'smell, scent', highlighting the connection between taste and smell.

Science

Taste buds on our tongue can detect five main tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami (savory).
The sense of smell plays a crucial role in how we perceive flavour, accounting for most of what we taste.
Fat molecules in certain foods can enhance the perception of flavour, which is why creamy foods often taste richer.

Cultural Significance

Different cultures have unique flavour profiles; for example, Asian cuisines often balance sweet, sour, and salty tastes.
The use of spices not only adds flavour but also preserves food, which is why various cooking traditions developed over time.
Fermentation techniques in foods like kimchi and sauerkraut enhance flavour through complex biochemical processes.

Pop Culture

Flavour is often a focus in culinary competitions like MasterChef, showcasing creativity in combining different tastes.
The concept of 'flavour of the month' indicates something trendy or popular, often in relation to food or dessert.

Psychology

Our emotional state can affect how we perceive flavour; food often tastes better when we are happy.
Certain flavours can evoke strong memories or associations, linking specific tastes to experiences or emotions.

Translations

Translations of the word "flavour" in other languages:

🇵🇹 sabor

🇮🇳 स्वाद

🇩🇪 Geschmack

🇮🇩 rasa

🇺🇦 смак

🇵🇱 smak

🇯🇵 味

🇫🇷 saveur

🇪🇸 sabor

🇹🇷 tat

🇰🇷 맛

🇸🇦 نكهة

🇨🇿 chuť

🇸🇰 chuť

🇨🇳 味道

🇸🇮 okus

🇮🇸 bragð

🇰🇿 дәм

🇬🇪 გემო

🇦🇿 dad

🇲🇽 sabor

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,946, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

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