UNFORGETTABLE FESTIVALS
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Makhana, also called Lotus seeds or fox nuts, has gained global popularity for its amazing health benefits. Its cultivation has its roots in Bihar's Madhubani area, which remains the central hub for Makhana production. Credit : PINTEREST
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Keeping your skin clean is essential. Use a gentle cleanser morning and evening to remove dirt, oil, and impurities that can clog pores and make them look bigger. Credit : PINTEREST
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NDTV
4 hours ago
- NDTV
What Is Umami? The Fifth Taste Chefs Do Not Want You To Ignore
Sweet, sour, salty and bitter. For a long time, these were the only flavours we believed existed, while anything else seemed like just a mix of these four. Then came the early 1900s, and with it, the discovery of umami - the fifth taste responsible for the bone-warming joy of gravy made from good stock, meat juices, and caramelised meat and vegetables. It is also why something like Marmite is worshipped by food lovers down under. Photo Credit: Unspalsh Escoffier, the legendary 19th-century French chef, introduced veal stock to the culinary world, convinced that a savoury fifth taste was his secret weapon. Yet, diners enjoyed his creations without really questioning his ideas. Today, chefs are celebrating the validation of what they always instinctively knew. In Modena, Massimo Bottura's restaurant, ranked fifth globally, first presented his five ages of Parmigiano Reggiano in 1995, each with distinct textures and temperatures. Bottura now delights in the notion that Parmesan might be Western cuisine's umami peak, elevating his dish with "five textures, five temperatures, and five levels of umami." Imagine the depth of flavour in each bite, the harmony of taste and texture. Also Read: Umami Foods For Weight Loss: Why You Should Add These Healthy Umami Foods To Your Diet Who Named It? "Umami" comes from the Japanese word "Umai," roughly meaning deliciousness. Japanese chemist Kikunae Ikeda coined the term at Tokyo University, who identified this taste in asparagus, tomato, cheese, and meat, but most prominently in dashi-a Japanese stock made from kelp commonly used in home cooking. Focusing on kombu, he pinpointed glutamate, an amino acid, as the source of this savoury flavour. Ikeda later learned to produce it on an industrial scale and patented the flavour enhancer MSG. Why Glutamate Matters A prime example of umami, explained by Paul Breslin of Monell University-one of the first to identify umami taste receptors-is a slow-cooked broth or soup. Raw meat lacks this essence; cooking or ageing unlocks the amino acids, sometimes producing a slightly desiccated, almost mouldy aroma reminiscent of a premium steak. Fermentation further intensifies umami, enhancing foods such as soy sauce, cheese, and cured meats. In the plant kingdom, mushrooms are rich in glutamate, alongside child-friendly favourites like petit pois, sweetcorn, and sweet cherry tomatoes. Notably, human milk stands out among mammalian milks for its high MSG content. Umami Ingredients You Can Use For readers looking to add umami to everyday cooking, these ingredients are a reliable start: Aged cheeses like Parmesan or Pecorino Soy sauce, miso, and fermented pastes Tomatoes, sundried or roasted Mushrooms, shiitake or portobello Cured meats such as prosciutto or ham Seaweed and kelp These ingredients offer instant depth, making even simple dishes richer and more satisfying. Also Read: 7 Asian Condiments and Sauces For a Perfect Kick in Your Oriental Meals Photo Credit: Pexels How Umami Works What makes bolognese with cheese or a cheeseburger slathered in ketchup so irresistible? Laura Santtini, creator of Taste No 5 Umami Paste, explains that in savoury flavours, "1+1=8." Umami, drawn from glutamates and ribonucleotides in various foods, multiplies when combined, creating a flavour profile far richer than the sum of its parts. This synergy explains why cooked beef, tomato, and cheese create an exquisite culinary experience and why ham and peas pair perfectly. It also reveals the undeniable charm of Smoky Bacon Pringles. Why Humans Crave Umami Humans evolved to crave sweetness for energy and avoid bitterness to sidestep toxins. Umami, signalling protein, is essential for life due to its amino acids. This raises two questions. First, why do we prefer umami in cooked or aged foods? Breslin suggests that cooking or preserving detoxifies proteins, noting, "The digestion formula involves not only obtaining nutrients but also avoiding illness. Lack of nutrition is not immediately fatal, but poisoning can be." Second, why do some low-protein fruits and vegetables contain high glutamate levels? For mushrooms, the reason remains unclear, but with tomatoes, it may mirror the role of sweetness in fruits. "Sugar encourages seed dispersal," Breslin explains. Perhaps sugar and glutamate combine in these foods to make them more appealing. Umami Around the World Umami is a universal taste, shaping dishes around the world: Italian: Parmesan, prosciutto, slow-cooked ragù Japanese: Dashi, miso, soy sauce, kombu Korean: Gochujang, kimchi, fermented sauces Southeast Asian: Fish sauce, shrimp paste, tamarind This variety shows that umami is not limited to any one cuisine but is a cornerstone of flavour everywhere. Also Read: How to balance the flavours in your cooking Plant-Based Umami Plant-based chefs have harnessed umami to give vegetarian and vegan dishes the same depth as meat-based meals. Mushrooms, fermented products, tomatoes, seaweed, and nuts help create satisfying textures and flavours. Balancing umami with sweet, salty, sour, and bitter notes produces meals that are both sustainable and delicious. How to Add Umami at Home Slow-cook stocks or sauces to unlock amino acids Use fermented products like miso, soy sauce, or pickles Combine umami-rich foods for synergy, such as tomato with cheese or mushrooms with soy sauce Age or roast vegetables to enhance natural glutamates Even simple home cooking benefits from these small tweaks, transforming ordinary meals into rich, savoury experiences. Fun Umami Facts Marmite is celebrated for its umami-rich taste, especially in Australia Fermentation increases umami intensity in foods like cheese, miso, and cured meats Human milk has naturally high levels of glutamate Umami signals protein, making it essential for human nutrition Why Umami Matters Today The discovery of umami has transformed culinary practices worldwide, prompting chefs to weave it into dishes for richer, more satisfying flavours. As this savoury taste gains popularity, it fuels culinary innovation across the globe. Chefs explore umami-rich ingredients-mushrooms, tomatoes, seaweed, and fermented products-to elevate their creations. This appreciation has inspired fusion dishes that merge traditional recipes with contemporary touches, delighting diners with bursts of unexpected flavour. Understanding umami has also reshaped plant-based cooking, as chefs mimic the depth and richness of meat dishes. By balancing umami with sweet, salty, sour, and bitter elements, they craft meals that are both tasty and sustainable. Umami's reach extends to home kitchens too, where cooks regularly turn to soy sauce, Parmesan cheese, and miso. Its widespread adoption enriches culinary experiences for all, deepening flavours and enhancing the joy of cooking and dining. Advertisement For the latest food news, health tips and recipes, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and YouTube. Tags: Facts Umami Food & Drinks Show full article
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Time of India
Parenting hacks that end bedtime struggles: 7 tricks to make even hyper kids sleep like angels
The ultimate bedtime formula that puts kids to sleep naturally (Image: Pexels) Restful night is neither about closure of physical eyes nor a passive activity, rather it is a sacred restorative state in which the mind, senses and the body return to equilibrium, connecting the conscious deeply with the subconscious and aligning with the universe. How common are sleep issues in kids Sleep issues among children are far more common than often recognised or so a 2011 study, ( Sleep problems in preschool and school aged rural Indian children by S. R. Ravikiran, P. M. Jagadeesh Kumar and K. S. Latha, published in Indian Pediatrics ), using the BEARS screening tool in rural Indian children aged 2–12, revealed that over 51% had at least one sleep problem such as bedtime resistance, night awakenings or daytime sleepiness. Another study in urban North India found that approximately 47.5% of school-going children experienced some form of sleep disorder — including nightmares, insomnia and snoring while during the study Spectrum of Sleep Disorders in Schoolchildren (Chennai, 2018–2019), researchers found that 35–46% of Indian children reported at least one type of sleep disturbance including insomnia, night terrors, sleep-breathing disorders etc. The researchers used the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC) among 1–13-year-olds at a pediatric outpatient clinic and the study emphasized how sleep problems can impact the kids' academic performance and emotional well-being. No more sleepless nights! This meditation ritual is a game-changer for bedtime drama (Image: TOI) Similar findings emerged in toddlers aged 1–3 in rural Bengaluru, where 48.3% displayed sleep disturbances, especially in the younger age group while in Delhi, a recent study revealed that 20% of adolescents are clinically sleep-deprived and an alarming 60% show signs of depression. The city-wide study conducted in Delhi (in collaboration with the National Health Systems Resource Centre) surveyed 1,529 adolescents aged 12–18 to assess the prevalence of clinical sleep deprivation and its association with depressive symptoms, cognitive function and academic performance. Overall, Indian data suggest that 35–46% of children across age groups face sleep disturbances, highlighting the urgency of addressing this issue. How and why meditation works as a pathway to better sleep Spiritual Lens Meditation helps a child let go by calming down all the hectic thoughts in their mind. This calmness inside is what automatically lets in good dreams. It aligns their inner energy with the cycles of night, providing a subtle balance that lets the soul rest and regenerate. Meditation helps clear the mind by letting go of the day's stress. This gives the mind a chance to repair and start over instead of getting stuck in anxieties or thoughts that aren't finished. Neuroscience Lens Scientific research supports these observations. A two-year mindfulness-based intervention in US elementary schools found that children practicing mindfulness (including paced breathing and Yoga-inspired movement) slept 74 minutes longer and gained 24 extra minutes of REM sleep — key for emotional regulation — compared to controls. This surprising sleep routine is going viral among mindful parents (Image: Ore Huiying/The New York Times) Additionally, sleep meditation techniques like guided body scans, visualisation and breathwork activate the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing heart rate and cortisol and facilitating deeper sleep. Techniques such as 'moon breathing', where one inhales through the left nostril and exhales through the right, have also been found to reduce heart rate and cortisol while increasing melatonin production. Parenting tips to ensure a restful night for your kids In an interview with TOI, Sidhharrth S Kumaar, Spiritual Healer at NumroVani, suggested that the simplest meditation bed time ritual can be curated by following: Usage of Frankincense and Lavender essential oil in diffuser to curate a energy space which promoted better bed time sleep ritual. The meditation to be done in a lying pose. Guided let go framework which empowers the kid to release what they do not have in life. Guided gratitude session which empowers a sense of fulfilment. Guided breathwork promotes inhalation from nose for 4 counts, holding it for 7 counts and exhaling with mouth slowly up to 8 counts. Delta music (4 hz) can be used in music assisted meditation which facilitates smoother and faster result. The meditation process can be further supported by cleaning the feet with aroma oils and silver charged water (prior to going to bed) and placing crystals near the head such as Pink Opal and Howlite. "Get the latest news updates on Times of India, including reviews of the movie Coolie and War 2 ."
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Time of India
FDA ropes in confectioners, consumers in food safety inspection drive for festive season
Mumbai: Ahead of the festive season, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has launched an inspection campaign to ensure hygiene and quality of food items, like sweets, and roped in confectioners and consumer representatives in this exercise, its top official said on Wednesday. Festive season in Maharashtra will kickstart with the 10-day Ganesh festival from the end of this month. It will be followed by the Navratri festival, Dussehra and Diwali in September and October. Talking to PTI after a meeting here, FDA commissioner Rajesh Narvekar said such an exercise was being carried out for the first time. "Till last year, FDA implemented such drives through regulatory inspections conducted by our officials. This time, we have ensured that producers and consumers participate in our training sessions so that they also understand and adopt good practices," he said. The first phase of the 'San Maharashtracha, Sankalp Anna Surakshecha' (Festival of Maharashtra, resolution of food safety) campaign began on August 11 and it will continue till October 25, during which at least 3,000 inspections are planned, Narvekar said. With the support from Nestle's corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, the first training session was held on Wednesday for food makers and consumer representatives, he said. The festive inspection campaign aims to ensure that citizens get pure, clean and high-quality food during Ganeshotsav, Eid, Navratri, Dussehra and Diwali, when demand for sweets, modaks, snacks and prasad surges. The FDA will also hold hygiene workshops for sweet manufacturers, modak makers, women's self-help groups and Ganesh mandals, he added. FDA secretary Dheeraj Kumar urged food business operators to strictly follow the law and appealed to citizens to report complaints about food quality to the agency's toll-free helpline 1800-222-365.>
