Arusuvai is a Tamil term meaning ‘six tastes’. It refers to the traditional South Indian culinary principle of balancing sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent and astringent flavours in food to make it healthy and complete
According to Ayurveda too, different tastes come from different minerals needed by our body. So consuming it with every meal helps with our physical wellness. A balanced meal should contain preparations that have all these tastes.
The habit of developing varied taste preferences, is achieved through repeated exposure and mindful consumption. We can train our brain to appreciate new flavours by consistently trying new foods, focusing on all our senses while eating and allowing our brain time to adapt.
Our brain takes around 8-15 tries to adapt to a new taste. Beyond the taste, we must pay attention to the smell, texture and even the sounds the food makes. Hence we must avoid ‘fog eating,’ where you eat without being present. We must give our senses more time to process the food.
We must try a wide variety of foods to be exposed to new flavour profiles through the practice of Arusuvai. Besides health benefits, Arusuvai develops an open mind to different cuisines. Rather than insist on the same old single taste, we welcome the rich diversity that is served by others.
Arusuvai makes for a palate so fine,
With all flavours bringing joy divine!
~ Pravin K Sabnis
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