酸味(さんみ)

酸味(さんみ) is sourness or acidity considered as a quality of a food or drink — one of the five basic tastes. It is the standard word in cooking, and in describing coffee, wine, and fruit.

Formation: 酸(さん) 'acid' + 味(み) 'taste.' The same 〜味(み) suffix names the other tastes below.

Note the part of speech: 酸味(さんみ) is a noun naming the quality, so it is something a food 強(つよ)い or weak in. To call something sour directly, use the i-adjective 酸(す)っぱい. 酸味(さんみ) is also the more appreciative of the two: 酸(す)っぱい often suggests something has gone off, while 酸味(さんみ) usually describes a flavour worth having.

Collocations

• 酸味(さんみ)が強(つよ)い: strongly sour
• 酸味(さんみ)を加(くわ)える: to add acidity
• 酸味(さんみ)が利(き)いている: has a pleasant tang

The five basic tastes:

• 甘味(あまみ): sweetness
• 酸味(さんみ): sourness
• 塩味(しおあじ) / 塩気(しおけ): saltiness
• 苦味(にがみ): bitterness
• 旨味(うまみ): umami, savouriness