Such a meal also should balance tastes savory, a little sour or bitter maybe, perhaps some sweet and salt and textures, from chewy to succulent to crisp.

NPR: The Art Of Sandwich-Making

Mussels, he said, "should taste exactly of themselves" which is to say sweet, meaty and reminiscent of salt water.

WSJ: Paul Kahan's Steamed Mussels With Celery Leaves | Slow Food Fast

It can be described as a shortcut to umami, the so-called fifth flavor (in addition to sweet, sour, bitter and salt), which in turn is often described as savory or meaty.

FORBES: Flavor Bomb - The New Chef's Secret Ingredient You Can Use Too

The list has something for everyone, with experimental favourites like the Smokey Robinson -- a savoury-sweet mixture of blanco tequila, smoked salt, honey and scotch with fresh celery and lime juice --and perfected classics like the whiskey ginger, made with house-made ginger soda for a fresh take on an old faithful.

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Their research was complicated by the fact that of the five primary taste sensations salty, sweet, sour, bitter, and umami the taste of salt is the least understood.

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