Ayurvedic Cooking divides the flavors of our foods into six distinct tastes. Incorporating all six tastes in each meal will support the body to feel more satisfied and satiated after eating.
The six tastes are: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent (spicy), and astringent.
1. Sweet (Earth + Water)
decreases vata; decreases pita; increases kapha
Ex: Mango, Banana, Grains, Milk
2. Sour (Fire + Earth)
decreases vata; increases pita; increases kapha
Ex: Lemon, Tamarind, Curd, Tomato, Yogurt
3. Salty (Fire + Water)
decreases vata; increases pita; increases kapha
Ex: Sea Salt, Cheese, Soy Sauce, Seaweed
4. Pungent (Fire +Air)
increases vata; increases pita; decreases kapha
Ex: Black Pepper, Ginger, Cayenne, Chili Peppers, Garlic, Onion, Leek
5. Bitter (Ether + Air)
increases vata; decreases pita; decreases kapha
Ex: Leafy Greens, Beets, Coffee, Neem, Turmeric
6. Astringent (Earth + Air)
increases vata; decreases pita; decreases kapha
Ex: Aloe, Beans, Raw Vegetables, Pomegranate, Nutmeg, Charcoal, Black Tea
EMOTIONAL QUALITIES: In Balance // In Excess
SWEET: Love // Attachment
SOUR: Discernment // Judgement
SALTY: Trust // Agitation
PUNGENT: Exploratory // Competition
BITTER: Austerity // Cynicism
ASTRINGENT: Unity // Rigidity
Now, the question is, how can we apply this information to our own patterns of eating?
It is important to note the action that each of the six tastes on our doshas. Understanding these actions will help us know which tastes to incorporate into our diets in greater ratios, to achieve greater balance. Remember, ayurveda is about unifying opposites. A person with a lot of wind (vata), will find balance by bringing the other elements into their diet, like water & earth (which are associated with the sour taste).
For example, someone with a dominant kapha dosha (water + earth), will benefit from making an extra effort to incorporate spicy/pungent flavors into his/her diet, while a pitta (fire + water) dominant person will further their imbalance by taking too much pungent or heating food. A vata (air + ether) dominant person, on the other hand, will benefit from eating a slightly greater ratio sour foods.
