A Matter of Taste

For consumers in search of unique flavor, Laura Santtini Spellbinding Flavours’ Taste #5 Umami Paste provides just that. Based on the notion of a fifth, intensely savory taste discovered early last century by Japanese scientists (“umami” roughly translates as “deliciousness”) as an addition to the previously recognized sweet, sour, salty and bitter tastes, the secret recipe from British culinary expert and cookbook author Laura Santtini blends such ingredients as tomatoes, Parmesan cheese and porcini mushrooms into a paste that can be used to add depth to sauces, gravies and risottos; squeezed into pastas, soups and stews; rubbed onto fish, meat and vegetables, or enjoyed on its own as a condiment for panini, crostini and dressings. Retailing for a suggested $4.99 per 2.46-ounce tube, the item is imported by Chicago-based European Imports Ltd. For more information, visit www.laurasanttini.com or www.eiltd.com.