Define "piquant"

[jpinmaryland]

Saw this term used a number of times in Joy of Cooking and so I looked in the index but there was no definition for it. I had always assumed it meant "hot" because there is this Piquant sauce I have that is somewhat hot but looking at the Joy of Cooking this cannot be so. I mean the way they used the term seemed to exclude a pure hot taste.

So what is your definition?

 

[kadesma]

Hi jp,

I've always assumed it ment something with lemon or wine or capers, to give a slight tartness of taste...
kadesma

 

[ironchef]

Piquant literally means or refers to "stimulating the palate".

To me, it's a combination of a dish that has a high amout of citrus and/or heat. A good example would be a ceviche.

 

[jpinmaryland]

okay that sort of makes sense given the context that it was used. I cant remember exactly but they said something like savory, sweet, piquant and bitter or something like that and I was trying to figure out what it meant.

 

[SpiceUmUp]

pi·quant ([font=verdana,sans-serif] P [/font]) Pronunciation Key (p

k

nt, -känt

, p

-känt

)
adj.

1. Pleasantly pungent or tart in taste; spicy.

 

[GB]

This has been moved to the Terms and Techniques forum.

 

[Robo410]

yup, just a little sharp, oooh nice.

 

[kitchenelf]

I saw on a menu once the term "piquant sauce" and it was horseradish and sour cream.

I always assumed it had an acidic type flavor.