'Kokumi' substances, as found in garlic, onions and scallops, are known to enhance
basic tastes when combined with other flavours, despite having no taste themselves.
In a study of 29 people, published in Flavour, researchers showed that the addition of
a kokumi substance significantly enhanced thick flavour, aftertaste, and oiliness in
reduced-fat peanut butter. This suggests that kokumi substances could improve the
flavour of low-fat foods.