7 ways to boost umami flavor

Editor's note: Cucina Pazzo has closed.

From Adam Fleischman of Umami Burger to the makers of Taste No. 5 Umami Paste, everyone’s capitalizing on the umami craze these days. Also known as the “fifth taste,” this Japanese term describes foods that deliver a rounded savory sensation. The primary component of umami is glutamate, an amino acid found in all foods containing protein. Seaweed, mushrooms, soy, fish, meat, cheese, tomatoes and olives are all umami powerhouses (that pack an even bigger umami punch when fermented, cured, smoked, roasted or caramelized). And we can’t forget good ol’ monosodium glutamate, better known as MSG. Yes, this synthetic umami has been vilified, but get over it. Comprised of nothing more than water, sodium and glutamate, MSG gets the job done. “There’s nothing wrong with it,” said Qui Tran, chef-owner of Mai Lee, about MSG. “Asian people have been using it since the beginning of time.” Ready to reach that fifth taste? Start by grabbing the same brands area chefs trust to deliver the umami oomph they crave.

1. Numi Gunpowder green tea $7. Whole Foods Market, 1601 S. Brentwood Blvd., Brentwood, 314.968.7744, wholefoods.com

“Numi teas always have really smooth flavors. They’re not overly bitter. We use it to pickle watermelon rinds. It’s the best bagged tea I’ve used.” – Matt Daughaday, executive chef, Taste

2. Momoya Nori Gohan Desuyo seaweed paste $6.29. East East Oriental Grocery Store, 8619 Olive Blvd., University City, 314.432.5590

3. Grana padano $11.29 per pound. DiGregorio’s Market, 5200 Daggett Ave., St. Louis, 314.776.1062, digregoriofoods.com

“I think grana is a great, catch-all kind of cheese.” – Brian Moxey, consultant chef, Strange Donuts

4. Heinz tomato ketchup With twice the acidity of the average ketchup, Heinz is the ultimate condiment for all-American umami.

5. Roland flat fillets of anchovies in olive oil $1.69. J. Viviano & Sons, 5139 Shaw Ave., St. Louis, 314.771.5476, shopviviano.com

6. Por Kwan Pate de Crevette shrimp paste $5. Olive Supermarket, 8041 Olive Blvd., University City, 314.997.5168, stlouissupermarket.com

“Those shrimp pastes are an umami bomb. They are stinky bombs too! We use them for stocks. It really brings the flavor out.”– Qui Tran, chef-owner, Mai Lee

7. Kewpie mayonnaise $6. Global Foods Market, 421 N. Kirkwood Road, Kirkwood, 314.835.1112, globalfoodsmarket.com

“I love it. When I worked at Roy’s (in Hawaii), we used it all the time. It has an extra egg in it. It’s richer.” – Justin Haifley, executive chef and co-owner, Cucina Pazzo