A Short Journey into the Pungent Taste

A Short Journey into the Pungent Taste

Pungent tastes are formed from the elements of air and fire and are the hottest of the tastes.

They help stimulate appetite and digestion and they maintain metabolism and the balance of secretions in the body.Benefit Kapha Dosha types - Pungent tastes remain hot, light and dry in our bodies throughout the digestive process, making them ideal for Kapha types who benefit from their drying effect. In small quantities, they are good for Vata because they stimulate digestion and they are least useful to Pitta types, who need no extra heating up.

Hottest and Driest of all tastes

The pungent taste helps to stimulate movement and motivation, and it has a clearing effect on the senses. In excess pungency creates anger and resentment. Pungent balances well with sweet and sour tastes.

Pungent foods

Pungent is the hottest and driest tastes – hot peppers, salsa, ginger, garlic, cloves and hot spices.

Mike Dhallwal speaks about the pungent taste