About this episode
For thousands of years, there have been four basic tastes recognized across cultures. But thanks to Kumiko Ninomiya (aka the Umami Mama), scientists finally accepted a fifth. As part of its Making Sense series, Vox’s Unexplainable podcast explores whether there could be even more. This episode was reported and produced by Meradith Hoddinott and edited by Katherine Wells, Noam Hassenfeld, Brian Resnick with help from Mandy Nyugen and Byrd Pinkerton. Music by Noam. Cristian Ayala handled the mixing and sound design. Research and fact checking by Richard Sima. Tori Dominguez is our audio fellow. Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained Support Today, Explained by making a financial contribution to Vox! bit.ly/givepodcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Listen to this episode in English to learn English
Podcast episodes are one of the highest-density ways to absorb English at native pace. Umami Mama from Today, Explained gives you natural dialogue, unscripted speech, and vocabulary that actually appears in real conversations.
In the Hinto app, every word in the transcript is tappable. Tap an unknown word, see the translation in your language instantly, and keep listening without breaking flow.
Episodes to Learn English
- The scandal undoing the ICC Jul 29, 2026
- AI just went rogue Jul 28, 2026
- The Trump-Saudi-Israel drama Jul 27, 2026
- The perimenopause moment Jul 26, 2026
- The Boomer politicians who won't retire Jul 25, 2026
- America’s best hot dog Jul 24, 2026
- Our tick nightmare Jul 23, 2026
- The truth about Iran Jul 22, 2026
- Defunding Israel Jul 21, 2026
- Trump's 2020 obsession Jul 20, 2026
- What's in a name? Jul 19, 2026
- Progressives take on the Rust Belt Jul 18, 2026
- Parasite (2026) Jul 17, 2026
- Vance vs. Rubio 2028 Jul 16, 2026
- Anarchy in the UK Jul 15, 2026
- The Mitch McConnell mystery Jul 14, 2026
- ICE kills again Jul 13, 2026
- Tanning is back Jul 12, 2026
- Kamala, 2028 Jul 11, 2026
- Love Island or Lust Island? Jul 10, 2026
- Pope Leo excommunicates Jul 9, 2026
- Smart glasses are officially here Jul 8, 2026
- A white, male military Jul 7, 2026
- Trump’s secret war Jul 6, 2026
- The socialists are coming! Jul 2, 2026
- Jared and Ivanka’s accidental revolution Jul 1, 2026
- Everything is dupes Jun 30, 2026
- The World Cup is healing us Jun 29, 2026
- Can we cheat death? Jun 28, 2026
- How Trump lost the bro vote Jun 27, 2026