The fifth taste: umami and the science of savoury
A food podcast traces umami from a Tokyo chemist's bowl of soup in 1908 to taste receptors, flavour synergy and the MSG controversy. Students listen for detail and speaker stance and discuss flavour and food myths.
C1Adults55 minPodcast
About this lesson
A C1 listening lesson (podcast). Dialogues and stories to listen to, with transcripts, speed control and ready-made questions.
- Level
- C1
- Skill
- Listening
- Type
- Podcast
- Students
- Adults
- Time
- About 55 minutes
- Topic
- Food & drink
- Activities
- Speaking / writing task, Key words, Listening (read aloud), Multiple choice, Gap-fill, Matching
- Key words
- broth, isolate, patent, receptor, synergy, out of proportion
- Access
- Premium
By the end, students can
- Follow a podcast that combines history, science and opinion
- Recognise how speakers signal scepticism and evaluate evidence
- Describe tastes and flavours precisely