The six tastes in food

Taken from this website:

http://www.ayurvedaamritvani.com/ayurvedic-diet.html

An ideal diet, according to Ayurveda incorporates the six tastes prescribed in the literature and 
comprises a wide variety of fresh fruits, grains and milk.

“Taste” means “Rasa”. It is the sensation perceived by the tongue. Each taste is due to predominance
 of 2 great elements. Each taste has an effect on the body as well as mind. The basic principle of diet
 in Ayurveda is that physical changes as well as mental effects can be observed after consumption 
of different food types. In this way, food can directly and indirectly affect the three doshas of 
an individual. We can achieve a balance in these three doshas by regulating diet.

Madhura (Sweet)

Honey - Image: Courtesy Wikipedia

Madhura means very appealing, pleasant or very sweet. Sweet taste is due to the Water and
 Earth elements. The sweet taste shows qualities or gunas such as cooling, heavy and unctuous.

Physical effects: The sweet taste is related to strength and stability of the body. It pacifies the 
Vata and Pitta doshas. However, an excess of sweet can aggravate Kapha dosha. Sweet 
taste is homologous to body since birth; small babies enjoy the sweet taste of breast milk. 
Food with sweet taste is wholesome; it promotes longevity when consumed in moderation.
 It enhances the growth of all seven tissue-elements. It is beneficial to the health of skin, senses
 and general growth of the body.

Psychological effects: Sweet taste is very pleasant and exhibits pronounced satisfying and 
gratifying effects. It increases cheerfulness, love and compassion. It gives the feeling of love 
but if consumed in excess, it increases greed and attachment.

Adverse effects: If a person consumes excess sweet food, then his Kapha dosha aggravates. 
It can lead to many diseases like obesity, diabetes, lethargy, increased cholesterol etc.

Source: Foods with sweet taste include sugar, honey, sugarcane juice, maple syrup and 
dates to name a few. Foods like rice, wheat, milk and fruits like mango and grapes are also 
good source of sweetness.

Amla (Sour)

Lemons - Image: Courtesy Wikipedia

Amla  means sour taste and is made up of Earth and Fire elements. This taste has qualities
 like lightness, hot and unctuous.

Physical effects: Sour taste increases the digestive power. It exhibits a sharp taste, which 
stimulates salivation and increases the appetite. It pacifies Vata but increases Pitta and Kapha. 
 It promotes strength and stability of tissue-elements. It regulates peristalsis; it regulates 
downward movement of vata and helps in the digestion of food.

Psychological effects: Sour taste is very sharp. It brings alertness to the mind and increases 
attention. It is responsible for bringing appreciation but if consumed in excess it brings out 
hate, jealousy.

Adverse effects: If a person consumes excess food with sour taste, then he will 
experience symptoms like excess thirst, hyperacidity and heartburn. A number of other
 diseases like loss of skin tone, hyperacidity, skin rashes, gastritis and ulcerative colitis.

Source: Citrus fruits like limes, lemons and oranges are good examples of amla food.
 Other food products include sour cream, yogurt, vinegar & fermented food.

Lavana (Salty)

Salt - Image: Courtesy USA Today

Lavana means salty taste and it primarily gives relish to the food. Salty taste is due 
to the predominance of Water and Fire element. Salty taste exhibits qualities like oily, 
heavy and hydrophilic in nature. Salty taste pacifies Vata but increases Pitta and Kapha.

Physical effects: Salty taste has a laxative effect and it removes obstruction from the 
channels (srotas). It liquefies mucus and clears the channels. Apart from this, it improves 
digestion and increases salivation. It balances the blood pressure by maintaining electrolytes
 in the body. It gives muscles strength.

Psychological effects: Salty taste enhances the taste of food so one can enjoy it. This taste
 brings interest and enthusiasm. Hence, generally people show a kind of addiction to the 
salty things.

Adverse effects: Excess consumption of Salty foods causes ill effects like premature 
graying of hair, wrinkles, baldness and inflammatory diseases. It causes water retention 
leading to edema and increase in blood pressure. It also increases Pitta dosha leading to
 hyperacidity.

Source: Sea salt, rock salt and table salt and predominant sources for salty taste. 
Apart from this, consumption of salty food like salted chips, salted nuts also act as sources of this taste.

Katu (Pungent)

Red Cayenne Pepper - Image: Courtesy Wikipedia

Katu means pungent or very hot taste. It shows predominance of Fire and Air elements. 
Pungent food shows qualities like hot, dry and light nature.  Pungent taste pacifies Kapha 
but it aggravates Pitta and Vata.

Physical effects: Pungent taste improves digestion. It stimulates the digestive fire (Agni)
 in the body. It improves circulations and clears the channels. It has an anti-spasmodic 
action. It causes instant watering of eyes and nose if consumed directly.  It produces heat
 in the body and breaks clots in the circulation.

Psychological effects: Pungent taste also has sharp and penetrating effects on the mind. 
It aids the clarity of mind, increases attention and brings clarity of perception.

Adverse effects: Pungent food, if consumed in excess causes irritation and inflammation 
and leads to aggravation of Pitta. It destroys virility. It can cause diarrhea, peptic ulcers, 
giddiness, insomnia and some skin conditions.

Source: Chili pepper, cayenne pepper, habanera pepper and black pepper are sources
 of this taste. Apart from this, spices such as mustard, ginger, garlic and onion are also pungent in taste.

Tikta (Bitter)

Bitter Groud - Image: Courtesy Wikipedia

Tikta meaning bitter taste produces a very unpleasant taste in mouth. In spite of its 
unpleasant taste, it is important to incorporate this taste in our meal. Bitter taste 
shows predominance of Air and Ether elements.  It is cool, dry and light in character.

Physical effects: It demonstrates a strong wormicidal action. It has appetizing effects
 and reduces burning sensation. It gives firmness to the skin and muscles and
 reduces skin diseases by its anti-inflammatory effects. It also demonstrates a cleansing effect.

Psychological effects: Bitter taste helps to withhold the mind and senses from objects of desire.

Adverse effects: Bitter food consumed in excess will produce adverse effects on the body. 
Further, this taste exhibits spermicidal effects. Excess consumption of bitter taste leads to 
loss of strength and energy and increased Vata dosha.

Source: Sources of this taste are bitter gourd and bitter melon. Herbs like neem
 (Azadirecta Indica) are also bitter in taste.

Kashaya (Astringent)

Bananas - Image: Courtesy Wikipedia

Kashaya means astringent taste that occurs due to the predominance of Air and
 Ether elements. It is heavy, dry and cooling in nature. It gives an immediate drying
 sensation in mouth on consumption.

Physical effects: By its drying property, kashaya absorbs water and helps in binding
 stools. It constricts the different channels of the body. It purifies blood by its anti-inflammatory
 effects. It reduces Pitta and Kapha but it increases Vata dosha in the body.

Psychological effects: Astringent substances help the mind to become collected
 or organized. But excess consumption of this taste causes insomnia, anxiety and depression.

Adverse effects: Excess use of astringent food causes choking sensation and difficulty
 in speaking. It causes constipation along with distension of abdomen. It affects the 
sperm count and can even reduce the sex drive. Prolonged consumption may lead to 
emaciation of the body.

Source: Unripe banana, chickpeas, alum and okra are good sources of astringent taste.