What do you do if you want to enhance your palate and explore new flavors?

Go to an international groceries store and pick 10 items you don't know about (produce, spices, etc). Taste them. Take them home (or to work), do a bit of research on how it is traditionally used. Then try making a traditional dish with it, and using it in a new way, or incorporating into a dish you would normally make.

One of my chefs in culinary had the best (though obvious!) advice: If you're wondering what a flavor combination will taste like, put it in your mouth & try it. There are so many flavors in the world, you can't possibly try them all, but you can expand your palate. One of my favorite combos: strawberries & parmesan cheese. Something I didn't like: dried jellyfish.

One thing I found helpful when exploring new flavors is to actively engage with each dish, paying attention to the subtle nuances of taste, texture, and aroma. By immersing myself fully in the dining experience, I've been able to develop a deeper appreciation for the artistry of cooking and the complexity of flavors.

Tasting things side by side is an excellent way to discover new flavors and nuances that don't appear when you only have one flavor. For instance, a side-by-side tasting of 2 (or more) kinds of coffee - different roasts, growing areas, processing methods. etc. - will show you subtle differences in acidity, fruitiness, richness, and roasting, to help define what growing regions and flavor profiles you prefer in your coffee, making you become a savvier coffee drinker.

A tasting journal is one of the best ways to expand your palate. Not only by keeping track of what you tasted but also taking a minute to note what else was going on around you. Taste is a very subjective thing and you might have a different experience every time you taste a particular thing, so it's important to note everything that went into the tasting. Was it hot or cold? Were you inside or out? What was the thing served with? Did you like it? What would you wish was different about it? Did your companions like it? What were their observations? How were you feeling that day? Would you have it again?

A tasting wheel is a great tool to help you identify the flavors and aromas you are experiencing. Look online - there are printable tasting wheels for wine, beer, chocolate, coffee, cheese, and tea, as well as generic ones that can be used for anything you are trying to learn to taste. So often when we are trying to expand our palates things like wine just smells like....wine. A tasting wheel is designed to give you words to describe what you are experiencing. For example, if you are smelling fruit, what kind of fruit is it? Dark cherries or grapefruit? Peaches or grapes? Having a visual cue makes this much easier!

Try cuisines from various cultures and regions to expose yourself to a wide range of flavours and ingredients. Visit ethnic restaurants or explore international grocery stores to discover new foods to try at home.