The Spice(s) of Life

Here is a “confession” that will surprise exactly zero of my friends. I love to eat, but I hate to cook! Why do I hate it so much? Because I feel like I’m no good at it. I don’t really understand it. I always need to look up recipes and follow them precisely. Even if it’s something that I’ve made many times – like basic fried rice – I still have to look up the recipe, print it out, and follow it carefully. And for some reason, it always takes me 3-4 times longer than the “cooking time” projections on the sheet!

But this week, I happened to hear a chef speaking on a podcast (of course, I can’t remember which one) where he was talking about cooking and foods like a painter talks about colors. He talked about “flavor profiles” and how delicious foods were not so much about the particular foods used, but more about the elements of flavor that create the overall experience. He talked about the basic flavors: sweet, salty, bitter, sour, spicy and umami. He talked about how different ratios of these basic flavor “colors” were what gave various dishes their special characteristics.

And finally, I got it.

I feel like something finally opened up for me with regard to the mysterious world of cooking!

But you know what?

It also gave me another perspective on that challenge of why we seem to crave perpetual “happiness,” and yet in reality, it’s neither possible nor optimal for health! We can think of “happiness” as the emotional equivalent to “sweetness.” Almost everyone likes sweets! Sometimes we may even dream of living in a world of pure sweetness. I remember as a little kid, just staring for ages at the CandyLand game board. It didn’t even matter if anyone was playing the game. I just stared at it and dreamed of living in a real CandyLand where I could nibble on everything – even my sugary sweet house! But, as every kid (most kids?) eventually learn… the reality is nothing like the dream. Eating a small slice of pie may leave you wanting more but eating a whole pie… ugh… not so much!

So just as sweetness may be the most commonly desired basic food flavor, and happiness may be the most desired emotional state, the truth is, it takes the whole palate to make for a satisfying life. Yeah, we need the salty, savory, and umami emotions and emotional experiences, too, to be satisfied. And YES, we even need the bitter and sour emotions and experiences of life!

As we travel through the winter holidays and its tendency to shove too many sweets our way – of the dietary, entertainment, emotional and all the rest – don’t forget that it takes the full spectrum for a great life, and it’s OK if you’re feeling something other than sweetness this time of year.

Happy Holidays! ??