Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)

Monosodium glutamate, or MSG, is a salt form of the amino acid glutamic acid. It is readily available in powder form and is naturally found in high concentrations in mushrooms and seaweed.

MSG activates taste receptors in the mouth, specifically T1R1 and T1R3, which are types of receptors known as a G-protein coupled receptors, or GPCRs. The activation of these taste receptors is responsible for the umami, or savory, flavor. Umami is usually associated with richness and unctiousness in foods.