えぐみ

えぐみ
noun
harsh bitterness; astringency; acrid taste
1. harsh bitterness; astringency; acrid taste
An unpleasant bitter or sharp taste, often associated with raw vegetables like bamboo shoots, spinach, or eggplant. Removed by blanching, soaking, or other preparation.
このほうれん(そう)はえぐみが(つよ)い。
This spinach has a strong acrid taste.
()でることでえぐみが()ける。
The astringency goes away when you boil it.
(わか)いタケノコはえぐみが(すく)なくて()べやすい。
Young bamboo shoots have less astringency and are easier to eat.

The noun form of the adjective えぐい (acrid, harsh). Refers to a specific unpleasant taste caused by oxalic acid, alkaloids, or similar compounds in raw plant matter.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • えぐみが(つよ)い: to have strong astringency
  • えぐみを()く: to remove the astringency (by soaking, blanching, etc.)
  • えぐみが()になる: the astringency is noticeable/bothersome
  • えぐみのある野菜(やさい): vegetables with astringency

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • (にが)み: bitterness — broader; includes pleasant bitterness like in coffee
  • (しぶ)み: astringent flavor — the pucker-inducing taste of strong tea, persimmons
  • アク: scum, harshness — overlaps with えぐみ; refers to both the foam from boiling and the underlying harsh taste