The tongue has taste buds each containing specific cells which are designed to be receptors for the sensations of sweet salty sour bitter or umami. Put one in your mouth and chew it while holding your nose. The name umami was coined in japan a century ago when the taste found in eastern staples like seaweed was first identified as a unique. Now in the last decade umami has been established as the fifth basic taste and is gaining in popularity and influence. The truth of the matter is foods that have umami we find to be very delicious and very satisfying. So if you want to reduce the amount of sodium thats in your diet and you make sure you have a lot of umami in your food and you dont have to salt it as much.