A Short Journey into the Bitter Taste

A Short Journey into the Bitter Taste

Bitter tastes come from the elements of air and space and can be used by all types in small quantities. It is the coldest and lightest of the tastes and tends to be dry. A Detox for the body, bitter detoxifies the blood, controls skin ailments and tones the organs. Bitter continues to have a lightening and drying effect on the body during the whole process of digestion, especially useful for Pitta types and Kapha types in moderation and less useful for Vata types.

 Valuable Accompaniment

The bitter taste balances the heavy moist qualities of the sweet, sour and salty tastes and acts as a beneficial accent to most meals. It helps to stimulate clear-sightedness and an urge to see through false impressions or situation, but in excess is associated with disillusionment and grief.

Bitter foods

Bitter is the coldest and driest taste – dark green leafy veg, radishes, sprouts, celery, turmeric and spices.

Mike Dhallwal describes the bitter taste