Origin and historyThe word "umami" comes from Japanese and is generally translated as "savoury" or "pleasant savoury taste." Ikeda later developed a method for producing monosodium glutamate (MSG), a seasoning that provides an umami taste. Today, the word "umami" is used not only by chefs and food writers but also in everyday food conversations. The story is set around five houses in Mexico City, each named after one of the five basic tastes: sweet, salty, bitter, sour and umami. The story is set around five houses in Mexico City, each named after one of the five basic tastes: sweet, salty, bitter, sour and umami.