Culinary and Sensory Vocabulary: Definitions and Examples

Culinary Terms and Food Descriptors

• Steamed: Cooked by being placed in steam. Example: Steamed vegetables retain more nutrients.
• Seasoned: Enhanced with flavorings. Example: The salad needs to be seasoned; maybe a little salt and olive oil will be enough.
• Stewed: Cooked slowly in a small amount of liquid. Example: The stewed apples were soft and flavorful.
• Broth: A soup, often with vegetables or rice in it. Example: Chicken broth is a common base for soups.
• Savory: Having a usually salty, but not sweet taste. Example: The dish had a savory flavor that was very satisfying.
• Jelly: A soft, sweet food that shakes when you move it. Example: Strawberry jelly is a popular choice for toast.
• Tender: (Of meat) Soft and easy to bite through. Example: The steak was cooked perfectly, very tender and juicy.
• Mild: Mild food does not have a strong taste. Example: This cheese has a mild flavor.
• Tinned: Tinned food is sold in metal containers. Example: Tinned tomatoes are convenient for cooking.
• Tasty: Having lots of enjoyable flavor. Example: This soup is very tasty.
• Garlic: A vegetable like a small onion with a very strong taste and smell. Example: Garlic adds a pungent flavor to many dishes.
• Soy Sauce: A sauce made from soya beans, used in Chinese cooking. Example: Soy sauce is a key ingredient in many Asian recipes.
• Dairy: Relating to milk or to foods made using milk. Example: Cheese and yogurt are dairy products.
• Deep-fried: (Of food) Fried in oil that covers it. Example: Deep-fried chicken is crispy and flavorful.
• Crunchy: Making a crunching sound when eaten (crispy). Example: The salad was fresh and crunchy.
• Creamy: Like cream or containing cream. Example: This sauce is very creamy and rich.
• Rotten: Very bad or decayed. Example: The fruit was rotten and had to be thrown away.
• Smelly: Malodorous. Example: The cheese had a strong, smelly aroma.

Sensory Experiences and Perceptions

• Moose: A large North American deer. Example: We saw a moose in the forest.
• Source: Origin, beginning. Example: The river's source is in the mountains.
• Maggots: A creature like a very small worm that is found in decaying meat and other foods and later develops into a fly (larva). Example: The rotten meat was infested with maggots.
• Poke Through: Stick out. Example: The bones began to poke through the skin.
• Pastry: Dough. Example: I'll send you the recipe for my cookie pastry; it is always delicious.
• Gaze: To look at something or someone for a long time, especially in surprise or admiration, or because you are thinking about something else (stare). Example: She gazed at the stars in wonder.
• Taste: Flavor. Example: The taste of the chocolate lingered on her tongue.
• Linger: Continue for longer than expected. Example: The scent of the flowers lingered in the air.
• Synesthesia: A strange feeling that makes you see the sounds or hear the colors. Example: People with synesthesia might experience colors when they hear music.
• Mixed Up: Confused; think one thing is another thing. Example: I got the dates mixed up and missed the meeting.
• Roll Off: Cause to turn and fall. Example: The ball rolled off the table.
• Put Somebody Off: Prevent someone from doing something. Example: The bad smell put me off eating the food.
• Lumps: Solid pieces. Example: There were lumps in the gravy.
• Grow Up Of: Stop doing something as you get older. Example: He grew up of biting his nails.
• Turn Out: To be discovered to be something. Example: The rumor turned out to be true.

Research, Abilities, and Reactions

• Making Up: Invent. Example: She was making up a story to entertain the children.
• Carry Out: To perform or complete a job or activity; research. Example: The scientists carried out experiments to test their hypothesis.
• Aid: Help or support someone. Example: The organization provides aid to people in need.
• Gift: A special ability. Example: She has a gift for music.
• Downsides: Disadvantages. Example: Every job has its downsides.
• Overwhelming: Too much to cope with. Example: The amount of work was overwhelming.
• Missing Out: Not get a benefit that someone else gets. Example: If you don't go to the party, you'll be missing out.
• Proof: Evidence. Example: There is no proof that the theory is correct.
• Slight: Small and not very important. Example: There was a slight difference in their opinions.
• Earlier: Previously. Example: I saw him earlier today.
• Persuaded: Cause to do, convince. Example: He persuaded her to go to the party.
• Even Though: Although. Example: Even though it was raining, we went for a walk.
• Huge: Extremely large. Example: They live in a huge house.

Concert and Music Vocabulary

• Captivate: Charm, fascinate. Example: The singer captivated the audience with her performance.
• Venue: The scene or locale of any action or event. Example: The concert venue was packed with fans.
• Turned Out: Be present, attend; conclude. Example: A large crowd turned out for the concert. The event turned out to be a success.
• Stunning: Strikingly beautiful. Example: The stage design was stunning.
• Stage: Raised performance area. Example: The band played on a large stage.
• Crowd: Many people. Example: The crowd cheered for the band.
• Mesmerized: Fascinated. Example: The audience was mesmerized by the performance.
• Breath-taking: Astonishing, amazing, remarkable. Example: The view from the top of the mountain was breath-taking.
• Slow-paced: Not fast-moving. Example: The movie had a slow-paced plot.
• Up-tempo: Fast rhythm. Example: The song had an up-tempo beat.
• Impressive: Admirable. Example: Her performance was very impressive.
• Lyrics: Words of a song. Example: The lyrics of the song were very meaningful.
• Highlight: Emphasize. Example: The report highlighted the importance of education.
• Mash Up: Talking about music, a mixture of styles. Example: The DJ played a mash-up of different songs.
• Criticism: Negative judgment. Example: The movie received a lot of criticism.
• Unforgettable: Impossible to forget. Example: The concert was an unforgettable experience.
• Posh: Elegant or stylishly luxurious. Example: He takes her to some really posh restaurants.