1.
palate cleanser; something to take away an aftertaste
Eating or drinking something to clear a lingering taste from the mouth, or the food or drink used for that purpose. Often used after a strong or unpleasant flavor, or between courses.
口直しにお茶を飲んだ。
I drank some tea as a palate cleanser.
苦い薬の後に、口直しのあめをなめた。
After the bitter medicine, I sucked on a candy to clear my mouth.
コース料理では、肉の前に口直しのシャーベットが出てきた。
In the course meal, a sherbet came out as a palate cleanser before the meat.
Literally "fixing the mouth." Used both for the act of clearing the palate and for the item eaten or drunk to do so. Commonly takes する: 口直しをする (to cleanse the palate).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 口直しに: as a palate cleanser
- 口直しのお茶: tea to cleanse the palate
- 口直しをする: to clear one's palate
USAGE:
Also used figuratively for something pleasant experienced to wash away a bad impression, e.g. watching a good film after a disappointing one.