Taste		Physical Effect	Mental Effect	Source
earth, water	Sweet	nourishes, builds and strengthens body tissues	soothing, calming, satisfactory	Carbohydrates, Protein, Fat Grains, pasta, rice, bread, starchy vegetables, dairy, meat, chicken, fish, sugar, honey
		fat diseases, obesity, diabetes	lethargy, anxiety
water, fire	Salty	lubricates tissues, softens, maintains mineral balance and holds water	enhances appetite and other tastes, enthusiasm, calms nerves and stops anxiety	Mineral salts Table salt, soy sauce, salted meats, fish, seaweed
		wrinkles, thirst, loss of strength, baldness	cravings, anger, impatience, lethargy
earth, fire	Sour	stimulates appetite and digestion, strengthens heart, relieves thirst and satiates	enhances intellectual activities	Organic acids: ascorbic acid, citric acid, acetic acid Citrus fruits, berries, tomatoes, pickled foods, salad dressing, yoghurt, alcohol
		loss of strength, fever, thirst	resentment and jealousy, anger, impatience, hot temper
fire, air	Pungent	warms body and promotes sweating, improves metabolism and relieves nerve pain	opens mind and senses	Essential oils Peppers, chilies, onions, garlic, cayenne, black pepper, cloves, ginger, mustard, salsa, raddish, wasabi
		thirst, depletion of reproductive fluid and strength, fainting, waist/back pain	irritability, anger, impatience
earth, air	Astringent	cleanses blood and helps maintaining healthy blood sugar level, dries moisture and fat	cools fiery minds,clears senses and emotions, removes lethargy	Tannins Lentils, dried beans, broccoli, green apples, pears, grape skins, cauliflower, cabbage, pomegranates, tea
		gas or constipation, heart pain, thirst	anxiety, worry, fear, insomnia
ether, air	Bitter	cleanses and detoxifies, reduces fat and water excess, relieves thirst and fever, antibiotic	helpful in managing food cravings, clears senses and emotions	Alkaloids or glycosides Green leafy vegetables, green and yellow vegetables, kale, celery, broccoli, sprouts, beets
		gas or upset stomach, tissue depletion	anxiety, fear, insomnia