How much Umami is too much Umami?

Author: Phil & Eric
Published: Sun 22 Jun 2025
Episode Link: https://rss.com/podcasts/potluckfoodtalks/2084085

🎙️ EP139 – The Umami Conspiracy. From parmesan-in-mayo hacks to kombu-fueled flavor bombs, Phil and Eric dive mouth-first into the misunderstood world of umami. They trace the Japanese origin of the term, bust myths about MSG, and confess the bastardized secrets that supercharge their sauces. Also in this episode: dessert umami bombs, rule-breaking parmesan, and a tomato sauce that hits harder than it should. This one’s full of science, swearing, and savory revelations.

🎧 Topics Covered in This Episode:

🇦🇪 Back in the Fryer – Phil lands in Dubai

🍄 What Is Umami, Really? – And why no one can describe it

📜 The Japanese Chemist Who Named Umami – A kombu-flavored discovery

🧂 MSG, Sugar & Ajinomoto – The factory-made flavor crystal

🚫 Chinese Restaurant Syndrome – The racist roots of anti-MSG panic

🍟 Shio Kombu on Fries – A flavor bomb you didn’t know you needed

🧀 Parmesan Power Moves – How to hack beurre blanc and mayo

🍅 The Tomato That Punches You – A sauce built to kick your ass

🍫 Dessert Umami – From cheesecake to ganache with blue cheese

🥄 Umeboshi Turnips – A subtle Japanese breakfast that hits deep

🌀 Too Much Umami? – When your pupils become tea saucers