Umami is a high-protein food flavour, standing out as a distinct 5th flavour in Asian states. It is created by glutamates and a number of amino acids. It is found in coffee, broccoli, walnuts, most cheeses, tomatoes, mushrooms, and heat-treated meats.
A fresh study has shown that this flavour is the reason why cats love tuna.
It takes the Tas1r1 and Tas1r3 genes to taste umami. Humans have both. Previously, it was thought that cats only had Tas1r3. But recently, experts have discovered that they also have Tas1r1.
Although cat and human receptors are similar, experts have found a significant difference. In humans, amino acids bind to the receptors, after which nucleotides enter. But in cats, it’s the other way round. Thus, a completely different flavour is obtained.
