Using the IRIE Flavor Wheel to Deepen Connection Over a Meal
by Michelle Beadle Holder, PhD
Valentine’s Day is almost here! And I have a special Caribbean Valentine’s Day Gift for You: I call it the Irie Flavor Wheel.
Irie holds a deep meaning in Caribbean history and culture. It’s a term born from Jamaica and the larger Caribbean region.
Irie captures a sense of all things good, pleasing, and nice.
But it's more than just happiness.
Irie is about balance.
While growing up in Jamaica, I learned that Irie represents a Rastafarian worldview that despite the difficulties of life, you can choose your mindset and emotional state. While I don't always remember to put this idea into practice, I try to remind myself that no matter the circumstances, I can find and make room for joy, peace, and harmony in every situation.
Whether you are sharing a meal with another or going solo, take a moment to have an Irie experience at the kitchen and dining table.
Below is a brief description of the Irie Flavor Wheel:
While I originally designed it for cooking, the Irie Flavor Wheel can also be an insightful way to enhance your dining experience, whether you're sharing a meal with a partner or enjoying time with yourself.
At the center of the Irie Flavor Wheel is the TDA Method (Taste, Discern, and Adjust). This 3 step process is an essential practice to balance flavors in cooking. However, you can also practice while eating and gain a deeper connection with the flavors and your meal-time companion--laying the groundwork for future cooking adventures at home.
Let's Begin!
Step 1: Taste – Engage the Senses and Be Present
At the start of the Valentine's Day (or any other day) meal, instead of simply diving into the food, take a moment to taste intentionally. Before even picking up your fork, engage with the meal through all your senses.
Pay attention to the aroma of the dishes, the presentation, and the textures.
When you take the first bite, focus on the flavors you experience. Is it sweet, savory, bitter, salty, or umami (savory)? How do the different components of the dish come together?
When dining with a partner, use this as a moment to share your initial reactions.
Do you both notice the same things about the dish? For example, is one of you drawn to the sweet earthy flavor of beets, while the other finds the richness of the sauce more exciting?
This step not only encourages you to be present in the moment but also sparks meaningful conversation about your sensory experiences.
If you’re dining solo, this can be a wonderful opportunity to connect with yourself and explore how the food resonates with your current mood and preferences.
Step 2: Discern – Explore the Flavors Together
After tasting the meal, it’s time to discern.
This step is about diving deeper into the flavors you’ve experienced.
Share your thoughts with your dining companion: What’s working in the dish?
What flavors are most prominent?
Is there a balance of sweetness and acidity, or is something missing? You may notice that certain ingredients shine while others are subtle but essential to the overall experience.
This process can lead to a deeper conversation about what you like or dislike in different dishes, helping you better understand your tastes and your partner’s preferences.
For example, perhaps you both discover a mutual love for dishes that pair salty flavors with something sweet or sour, or maybe you find that you both enjoy the contrast of a creamy dish paired with something fresh and herbal like basil or thyme.
This discerning step helps you not only analyze the dish but also connect with your dining companion, learning more about each other's flavor preferences.
It’s a great way to bond over shared likes, and also differences. For instance, "Who knew that your partner might prefer a bit of extra spice while you’re all about the subtle flavors?"
Step 3: Adjust – Create Your Own Flavors at Home
When you finish the meal, the final step in the TDA method—Adjust—can be applied to both your experience at the restaurant and your future cooking endeavors.
Reflect on the dish you’ve just tasted. What might you adjust if you were to recreate it at home? Perhaps the dish was perfect as it was, or maybe you feel it could benefit from a bit more acidity, sweetness, or depth.
What ingredients would you choose to enhance or change the flavor profile?
This is a great opportunity to plan future meals together. As a couple, you might decide to recreate a dish you both enjoyed by focusing on the flavor adjustments that could elevate it.
If you’re dining solo, this reflection helps you hone in on what you love and try again in your kitchen.
The beauty of this process is that it bridges the dining experience with future cooking adventures.
Maybe you’ll try making homemade pasta or plantains after savoring it at a restaurant, or experiment with a sauce you both agreed needed just a touch more heat or sweetness.
By using the TDA method, you’re not just appreciating the meal in front of you, you’re using it as a launching pad for your future culinary creativity.
Building Connection Through Flavor Exploration
Whether dining with a partner or enjoying a solo outing, using the Irie Flavor Wheel adds a layer of mindfulness to your meal. It shifts your focus from simply eating to truly experiencing the flavors, textures, and aromas of the food. This Caribbean mindful approach can deepen your connection with your dining companion, encouraging you to share thoughts and preferences, and can also inspire future cooking at home.
Interested in learning more about Caribbean culture? Want to expand your culinary horizons in your kitchen?
Join me for a taste of Irie Cooking Adventure.