There are six tastes that are recognised in Ayurveda; they are sweet, salty, bitter, astringent and pungent. In a balanced diet it is believed that all six tastes should be present at each meal in order for the body to respond to food completely. The tastes or rasas can be used to balance the doshas; it is common for there to be a desire for the particular type of taste which will bring the dosha back into balance.
The list below is a very simplified version of the various tastes and how they can be used to balance your dosha.
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Vata is balanced by salt, sweet and sour tastes.
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Pitta it balanced by bitter, astringent and sweet tastes.
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Kapha is balanced by pungent, bitter and astringent tastes
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Sweet foods |
Sugar, dates, maple syrup & honey |
Increases Kapha |
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Rice, milk, cream, butter & wheat bread |
Decreases Pitta and Vata | |
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Salty foods |
Salt, kelp |
Increases Kapha & Pitta Decreases Vata |
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Sour foods |
Lemons & citrus fruits in general |
Increases Pitta & Kapha |
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Cheese, vinegar, yogurt, tomatoes, green grapes & plums |
Decreases Vata | |
|
Bitter foods |
Bitter greens such as endive, chicory & coffee |
Increases Vata |
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Bitter cucumbers, tonic water, lemon rind, spinach, turmeric, fenugreek & leafy greens |
Decreases Pitta and Kapha | |
|
Pungent foods |
Cayenne, chili peppers & mustard |
Increases Vata & Pitta |
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Onions, garlic, radishes, ginger and spicy food |
Decreases Pitta & Kapha | |
|
Astringent |
Beans, chickpeas & alfalfa sprouts |
Increases Vata |
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Lentils, apples, pears, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower & potatoes |
Decreases Pitta and Kapha |