The Six Tastes
A comprehensive reference guide to shadrasa - the six tastes of Ayurveda. Each taste indicates elemental composition and predicts effects on body and mind.
For the full explanation, see The Six Tastes article.
Quick Reference
| Taste | Sanskrit | Elements | Increases | Decreases |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sweet | Madhura | Earth + Water | kapha | vatapitta |
| Sour | Amla | Earth + Fire | pittakapha | vata |
| Salty | Lavana | Water + Fire | pittakapha | vata |
| Pungent | Katu | Fire + Air | vatapitta | kapha |
| Bitter | Tikta | Air + Space | vata | pittakapha |
| Astringent | Kashaya | Air + Earth | vata | pittakapha |
Balancing the Doshas with Taste
To Balance Vata
Cold, dry, light constitution
To Balance Pitta
Hot, sharp, oily constitution
To Balance Kapha
Heavy, cold, oily constitution
Sweet (Madhura)
Effects: Building, nourishing, grounding
In excess: Congestion, obesity, diabetes, lethargy, attachment
Foods with Sweet Taste
Grains
- Rice
- Wheat
- Oats
- Barley
- Quinoa
- Millet
Dairy
- Milk
- Ghee
- Butter
- Cream
- Fresh cheese
Sweeteners
- Honey
- Maple syrup
- Jaggery
- Dates
- Coconut sugar
Fruits
- Bananas
- Mangoes
- Grapes
- Figs
- Dates
- Melons
- Sweet apples
Vegetables
- Sweet potatoes
- Carrots
- Beets
- Winter squash
- Pumpkin
Proteins
- Almonds
- Cashews
- Most meats
- Eggs
Other
- Licorice root
- Shatavari
- Ashwagandha
Sour (Amla)
Effects: Stimulating, enlivening, awakening
In excess: Hyperacidity, inflammation, jealousy, criticism
Foods with Sour Taste
Fruits
- Lemons
- Limes
- Oranges
- Grapefruit
- Sour cherries
- Green grapes
- Tamarind
Fermented
- Yogurt
- Kefir
- Sauerkraut
- Kimchi
- Miso
- Kombucha
Vinegars
- Apple cider vinegar
- Rice vinegar
- Balsamic
Other
- Tomatoes
- Green mangoes
- Sour cream
- Cheese (aged)
Salty (Lavana)
Effects: Moistening, grounding, softening
In excess: Fluid retention, hypertension, inflammation, attachment to pleasure
Foods with Salty Taste
Salts
- Sea salt
- Himalayan pink salt
- Black salt
- Rock salt
Seaweed
- Kelp
- Nori
- Dulse
- Wakame
- Kombu
Preserved
- Olives
- Pickles
- Salted nuts
- Miso
Other
- Celery
- Fish
- Tamari
- Soy sauce
Pungent (Katu)
Effects: Stimulating, dispersing, clarifying
In excess: Burning, inflammation, anger, aggression, dryness
Foods with Pungent Taste
Peppers
- Black pepper
- Cayenne
- Chili peppers
- Jalapeños
- Paprika
Alliums
- Garlic
- Onions
- Leeks
- Shallots
- Chives
Spices
- Ginger
- Mustard
- Horseradish
- Wasabi
- Cloves
- Cinnamon
Greens
- Radishes
- Arugula
- Watercress
- Mustard greens
Other
- Asafoetida (hing)
- Turmeric
- Cumin
- Fenugreek
Bitter (Tikta)
Effects: Cleansing, reducing, clarifying
In excess: Depletion, grief, cynicism, isolation, anxiety
Foods with Bitter Taste
Greens
- Kale
- Dandelion greens
- Collards
- Endive
- Radicchio
- Arugula
Vegetables
- Bitter melon
- Artichokes
- Brussels sprouts
- Broccoli rabe
Herbs
- Neem
- Aloe vera
- Turmeric
- Fenugreek leaves
- Gentian
Beverages
- Coffee
- Black tea
- Green tea
- Cacao
Other
- Dark chocolate
- Grapefruit pith
- Olives (unsalted)
Astringent (Kashaya)
Effects: Contracting, drying, absorbing
In excess: Constipation, gas, fear, insecurity, rigidity
Foods with Astringent Taste
Legumes
- Lentils
- Chickpeas
- Black beans
- Kidney beans
- Mung beans
Fruits
- Pomegranates
- Cranberries
- Unripe bananas
- Persimmons
- Green apples
Vegetables
- Raw vegetables
- Potatoes
- Cauliflower
- Lettuce
- Spinach
Grains
- Buckwheat
- Rye
- Corn
Other
- Green tea
- Witch hazel
- Turmeric
- Honey
- Basil
Traditional Meal Order
Ayurveda recommends eating tastes in a specific order for optimal digestion:
- Sweet - To ground the meal
- Sour & Salty - To stimulate digestion
- Pungent - To kindle agni
- Bitter & Astringent - To promote completion