What does bitter mean?
Bitter refers to the perception of bitterness in a food or beverage. A food or beverage can be bitter due to the presence of chemicals called “taste-active” compounds. These chemicals stimulate the taste receptors on the tongue and create the sensation of bitterness. Bitter substances can be natural or synthetic. Common examples of synthetic bitter compounds are the pharmaceutical drugs, caffeine, and quinine. Common natural sources of bitterness are herbs and spices.
What does the word bitter mean in French?
To describe something as bitter in French, you can use the French word amère. For example, if you describe food as bitter, you can say: Est cet endroit amère! This means “The place is bitter!” Bitter plants, herbs, and roots are used in traditional medicine to treat digestive problems.
What does the word bitter mean in Spanish?
Bitter can describe a feeling or taste. It refers to substances that have a very unpleasant taste, such as herbs or medicine. This word is also used to describe an unpleasant or harsh critic or comment. For example, a bitter person can be unpleasant to be around because they tend to criticize others, often unnecessarily.
What does the word bitter mean in English?
The word bitter has many different meanings, but the one we're focusing on here is a mild or moderate taste sensation usually caused by the presence of compounds called flavonoids or polyphenols. Bitter compounds stimulate the nerves in the back of your mouth and throat, making the perception of bitterness more intense. When isolated from other flavors, bitterness is generally a good thing, especially in the case of vegetables, as it can help prevent your body from absorbing too much of other nutrients.
What does the word bitter mean?
The word "bitter" originally referred to plants and extracts of plants that tasted bitter. But when it came to describing flavors in foods, people started using the word to describe tastes that were not entirely pleasant. In the U.S., bitterness is generally reserved for foods that have a strong, unpleasant taste and can be very unpleasant to eat. Many foods that are described as bitter taste sour, and can even be quite salty.