palate
PAL-it
/ˈpæl.ət/
A person's appreciation of taste and flavor, or the roof of the mouth.
In a culinary context, 'palate' refers to the sophisticated ability to distinguish subtle flavors rather than just the physical anatomy.
The story behind the word. The Latin 'palatum' literally meant the roof of the mouth. Because people believed the roof of the mouth was the primary seat of taste, the word evolved to represent the sense of taste itself.
Word relationships
- taste: Taste is the basic sense; palate implies a trained or sophisticated level of taste.
Commonly confused with
- palette: A palette is used by an artist to hold and mix colors.
Word family
- palatable (adjective): Pleasant to taste; acceptable or satisfactory.
Collocations
- refined palate
- sophisticated palate
- cleanse the palate
- discerning palate
Idioms & expressions
- cleanse the palate
Example sentences
- "A master sommelier must possess a highly refined palate to identify the specific vineyard of a wine." Describing a wine critic's skill.
- "The palate is the ultimate judge of a chef's success, more so than any visual presentation." From a classic culinary text.
Memory hook
Your 'pal' (friend) 'ate' something delicious, and his 'palate' loved it. The palate is the judge's bench in the courtroom of the mouth.
When not to use
Do not confuse with 'palette' (a board for mixing paints) or 'pallet' (a straw mattress or a wooden shipping platform).
Fun facts
- The 'hard palate' is the bony front part of the roof of the mouth, while the 'soft palate' is the fleshy back part.
Explore more words
connoisseur, discerning, degustation, delicacy, savor, cultured
Also appears in
- Travel & Culture → Gastronomy, Food & Culinary Arts
- Food Science & Culinary Craft → Food Science & Flavor Chemistry
- Food Science & Culinary Craft → Professional Kitchen Technique & Fine Dining
- Food Science & Culinary Craft → Gastronomy & Cultural Cuisine
- Dining Out & Food Culture → Oenology & Wine Tasting
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