According to Ayurveda, to maintain nutritional balance, our diet should include all six tastes. A better understanding of the six tastes of Ayurveda can help you create a diet that contains all six flavors that will naturally balance all three Doshas.
The six tastes of Ayurveda:
1. Sweet (Madhura)
2. Sour (Amla)
3. Salty (Lavana)
4. Pungent (Tikta)
5. Bitter (Kasaya)
6. Astringent (Katu)
The six tastes of Ayurveda and how to eat for your Dosha
Vatas
Vatas should include more sweet, sour, and salty tastes in their diets and have less bitter, astringent, and pungent tastes.
A Vata needs to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the same time every day. Eating a well-cooked meal in a tranquil atmosphere with regularity in the timing of meals is of utmost importance for Vata. Consistency improves digestion and gives Vata more energy.
Pittas
Pittas should include more sweet, bitter, and astringent tastes in their diets and less salty, sour, and pungent tastes.
A Pitta needs to eat at least three big meals a day at the same time every day. Spicy, sour, and salty foods aggravate Pitta. Rather than ice, Pittas should add lime, mint, or cucumber to their water and drink a little bit throughout the day to stay hydrated.
Kaphas
Kaphas should include more bitter, pungent, and astringent tastes in their diets and less sweet, sour, and salty tastes.
Kaphas have slow digestion and need to eat small warm light meals three to five times a day. Regular fasting or skipping dinner one night a week strengthens Kapha’s digestive system. And a cup of hot water with turmeric, ginger, and lemon boosts its metabolism.
Understanding the six tastes of Ayurveda
1. Sweet
Examples of Sweet:
- Fruits
- Grains
- Root Vegetables
- Oils
- Avocado
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Honey
- Dairy
Sweet is a combination of the elements of earth and water. It is nourishing, satisfying, and grounding. In essence, it is heavy, cold, and wet. Sweet is very comforting and grounding.
The emotions associated with sweet are love and bliss, or greed when sweet binging.
Sweet has a calming effect on the nerves, slows down the digestive system, and increases stamina.
2. Sour
Examples of Sour:
- Yogurt
- Cheese
- Vinegar
- Citrus
- Pickles
- Tomatoes
- Strawberries
- Kiwi
- Beer
- Wine
Sour is a combination of the elements of fire and earth. It stimulates the digestive system. In essence, it is hot and heavy, moistening and energizing.
Sour taste increases saliva causing mouth-watering, improves appetite, and supports the digestive system.
3. Salty
Examples of Salty:
- Salt, sea salt, Himalayan rock, or pink salt
- Seaweed
- Celery
- Soy sauce
- Olives
- Cottage cheese
Salt is a combination of the elements of fire and water. It stimulates the appetite, increases salivation, improves digestion and absorption. In essence, it is hot and wet. Salt is considered grounding, soothing, moisturizing, and softening.
4. Pungent
Examples of Pungent:
- Peppers
- Mustard
- Onions
- Leeks
- Ginger
- Garlic
- Turmeric
- Hot spices
- Horseradish
- Turnips
- Radishes
Pungent is a combination of the elements of fire and air. It stimulates circulation and the digestive fire, improves elimination and absorption while warming the body and stimulating the senses. In essence, it is dry, light, hot, and spicy. Pungent is energizing, increases appetite, and clears sinuses.
The pungent taste boosts the metabolism and helps to burn fat, but it can cause inflammation when consumed in excess.
5. Bitter
Examples of Bitter:
- Leafy greens
- Artichokes
- Asparagus
- Eggplant
- Brussel sprouts
- Sesame seeds
- Dark chocolate
- Coffee
- Tea
Bitter is a combination of the elements of air and space. It is the taste that is the most sensitive. In essence, it is cooling, dry, and light. Bitter is cleansing and detoxifying; it provides calcium and magnesium while stimulating the digestive flow and clearing blood stagnations.
6. Astringent
Examples of Astringent:
- Apples
- Pears
- Most berries
- The skin of most fruits and vegetables
- Cabbage
- Sprouts
- Legumes
- Most raw vegetables
- White potatoes
- Beans
Astringent is a combination of the elements of air and earth. It is the taste that creates dryness in the mouth, numbs the tongue, and constricts the throat. In essence, it is cold and dry. Astringent slows down digestion, helps bind the stool, and prevents diarrhea, sweating, and bleeding. It absorbs water, tightens the tissues, and dries fat. Astringency can increase gas in the body.
Summary of the six tastes of Ayurveda
Sweet, sour, and salty balance Vata. Bitter, astringent, and pungent increase Vata.
Bitter, sweet, and astrigent balance Pitta. Salty, sour, and pungent increase Pitta.
Pungent, astrigent, and bitter balance Kapha. Sweet, sour, and salt increase Kapha.
Understanding the six tastes of Ayurveda allows us to enjoy and appreciate the variety of flavors in our meals. The mere fact of being more conscious of the different tastes in our food, indulging each zest in itself, can be incredibly healing.
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