Sour Taste
The sour taste tends to be fairly familiar to us. It is primarily the result of acids such as citric acid, lactic acid, malic acid, oxalic acid, and ascorbic acid in our foods. We often “pucker” when we encounter the sour taste and it immediately moistens the mouth and increases the flow of saliva.
The Sour Taste—at a Glance
| Balances: | Vata |
| Aggravates: | Pitta and kapha |
| Primary Elements: | Earth and fire |
| Virya (temperature): | Heating |
| Vipaka (post-digestive effect): | Sour |
| Gunas (associated qualities): | Liquid, light, oily, hot |
| Associated Positive Emotions: | Appreciation, understanding, discrimination, comprehension |
| Emotions of Excess: | Criticism, jealousy, rejection, hate, agitation, selfishness, hyperactivity |
| Location on the Tongue: | Front edges, along the tapered curve |
| Affinity for Organs: | Lungs |
| Most Affected Tissues: | All tissues (dhatus), except reproductive |
| Direction of Movement: | Downward moving (activates apana vayu) |
| Additional Actions: | Moistens, promotes bulk, holds fluid in the tissues, demulcent, cholagogue (promotes the healthy flow of bile) |
Examples—Substances that Illustrate the Sour Taste
| Fruits | Grapefruit, lemon, lime, raisins, tamarind |
| Vegetables | Pickles, tomatoes |
| Grains | Dough breads |
| Dairy & Eggs | Butter, cheese, sour cream, yogurt |
| Other | Alcohol, vinegar, most fermented foods |
| Spices & Flavorings | Lemon juice, lime juice, garlic, savory |
Benefits
The sour taste is digestive, so it fuels the appetite, increases salivary secretions, enhances the secretion of digestive enzymes, and stimulates metabolism overall.1
It also expels excess vata, moves stagnation in the liver, encourages the flow of bile, and promotes proper liver function.2
The sour taste awakens the mind and helps to coalesce scattered energy. It is energizing, refreshing, satisfying, nourishing to the heart, and can clear dryness.1, 2
Sour fruits are usually high in vitamin C and are often considered to be rejuvenating.2
In Excess
If overused, the sour taste can lead to sensitivity in the teeth, ears, and eyes.1 It can dry out mucus membranes, draw the tissues inwards, disturb the blood, and cause congestion, itching, excessive thirst, and digestive discomfort.1, 2
Contraindications
The sour taste can exacerbate the situation if there is itching, excess heat, excess congestion, or if there is too much pitta in the blood (rakta dhatu).2 It is best avoided in hot and damp conditions or with skin conditions of any kind.2
Exceptions
Amalaki, pomegranate, and limes do not aggravate pitta because they are cooling and tend to reduce heat.2
More for You
Vata and the Six Tastes
Vata is primarily composed of the air and ether elements, which make vata light, cold, dry, rough, mobile, subtle, and clear. Because of these characteristics, vata is balanced by the sweet, sour and salty tastes and aggravated by the pungent, bitter and astringent tastes.
Pitta and the Six Tastes
Pitta is primarily composed of the fire and water elements, which make pitta light, sharp, hot, oily, liquid, spreading, and subtle. Because of these characteristics, pitta is balanced by the sweet, bitter, and astringent tastes and aggravated by the sour, salty, and pungent tastes.
