25 Adjectives to Describe Tastes

25 Adjectives to Describe Tastes (with Meanings & Examples)

When we talk about food in English, saying “It’s good” or “It’s bad” is… well… a bit bland 😄. English has a rich and colourful vocabulary for describing flavours — whether you’re writing a recipe, ordering in a restaurant, reviewing a dish, or doing a B2 / C1 writing or speaking task. In this lesson, you will learn 25 adjectives to describe tastes, all with clear meanings and natural example sentences.

Let’s make your English more flavourful.

Bitter

Meaning: having a strong, sharp, sometimes unpleasant taste.

• The dark chocolate had a pleasantly bitter flavour.
• The coffee was too bitter for me without sugar.

Bland

Meaning: lacking strong flavour.

• The soup was a bit bland, so I added some spices.
• The rice tastes bland without any sauce.

Buttery

Meaning: rich and smooth, like butter.

• The croissant was wonderfully buttery and soft, and it almost melted in my mouth.
• The popcorn had a delicious buttery coating.

Citrusy

Meaning: tasting or smelling of citrus fruit (lemon, orange, etc.).

• The cake was light and citrusy.
• I love the citrusy freshness of lemon desserts.

Creamy

Meaning: smooth and rich in texture.

• The sauce is viscous and creamy.
• She loves creamy mashed potatoes.

Delicate

Meaning: light, subtle, not strong.

• The tea had a delicate flavour.
• The fish was seasoned in a very delicate way.

25 Adjectives to Describe Tastes

Earthy

Meaning: tasting of soil, roots, or plants.

• Mushrooms have a deep, earthy flavour.
• The stew tasted rich and earthy.

Garlicky

Meaning: tasting strongly of garlic.

• The hummus was deliciously garlicky.
• The pasta had a strong garlicky kick.

Fruity

Meaning: tasting of fruit.

• The wine had a light, fruity flavour that made it very easy and pleasant to drink.
• I love fruity desserts in summer.

Herbal

Meaning: tasting of herbs.

• The chicken had a lovely herbal marinade.
• The dressing was fresh and herbal.

Minty

Meaning: tasting of mint.

• The chocolate had a refreshing minty taste.
• I like minty tea in the evening because it helps me relax before going to bed.

Nutty

Meaning: tasting of nuts.

• The bread had a nutty flavour.
• The coffee had subtle nutty notes that made its flavour richer and more interesting.

Peppery

Meaning: tasting of pepper; slightly spicy.

• The sauce had a strong peppery flavour.
• The soup was warm and peppery, perfect for a cold evening.

Pungent

Meaning: having a very strong, sharp taste or smell.

• The cheese had a pungent smell.
• The sauce had a pungent, powerful flavour that was not for the faint-hearted.

Rich

Meaning: strong, full, intense flavour.

• The chocolate cake was rich and heavy, so even a small slice was more than enough.
• The sauce was wonderfully rich.

Salty

Meaning: tasting of salt.

• The chips were too salty for my taste, so I couldn’t finish the whole packet.
• I prefer slightly salty snacks.

Savoury (BrE)

Meaning: pleasantly salty or spicy, not sweet.

• I generally prefer savoury food to sweet food, especially when it comes to main meals.
• The dish had a deep, savoury taste.

Smoky

Meaning: tasting of smoke or grilled food.

• The grilled meat had a smoky flavour.
• The soup tasted smoky because of the paprika.

Sour

Meaning: sharply acidic.

• The lemonade was too sour for me.
• The yoghurt tastes slightly sour, which makes it refreshing and perfect for breakfast.

Spicy

Meaning: containing strong spices.

• The curry was extremely spicy.
• She loves spicy food and always adds extra chilli to make her meals even hotter.

Sweet

Meaning: tasting of sugar.

• The cake was very sweet, almost too sweet for my taste, but everyone else seemed to love it.
• I don’t like overly sweet desserts.

Tangy

Meaning: sharp and fresh, slightly sour in a pleasant way.

• The dressing had a tangy taste.
• I love the tangy flavour of citrus fruit.

Tart

Meaning: sharp and slightly sour.

• Cranberry juice is quite tart.
• The yoghurt had a pleasantly tart taste that went perfectly with fresh fruit and honey.

Umami

Meaning: a deep, savoury, meaty taste.

• The broth had a strong umami flavour.
• Aged cheese is full of umami, which gives it a deep, rich flavour that stays in your mouth.

Zesty

Meaning: lively, fresh, slightly sharp (often citrus).

• The sauce had a zesty lemon flavour.
• I love zesty summer dishes.

Good food deserves good words. The next time you write a recipe, a restaurant review, or a Cambridge exam answer, try using some of these adjectives instead of just saying “nice” or “tasty”. Your English will instantly sound richer, more precise, and more natural.

And remember: vocabulary is like seasoning — the right amount makes everything better 😉

Adjectives to describe tastes

If you really want to learn English but don’t know how to do it and where to start, don’t hesitate to contact us. Book an online English lesson with one of our certified and experienced English teachers and take a test and consultation! Tap the banner to learn more!