degustare

Degustare is an Italian verb meaning to taste carefully, sample, or savor. It refers to the act of evaluating flavors, aromas, textures, and overall quality of food and drink, often in a culinary or professional context. Degustare implies a deliberate, mindful approach to tasting rather than a casual bite, and can apply to dishes, wines, chocolates, cheeses, coffee, and similar products.

Degustazione is the related noun describing a tasting session or event in which multiple samples are presented for evaluation. In wine culture, a degustazione may involve several wines presented in sequence, with notes on appearance, aroma, palate, and finish. In broader gastronomy, degustazioni are used to compare products, showcase craftsmanship, or accompany a guided sensory experience.

Etymology and related terms: the verb degustare stems from gustare (to taste) with a prefix that heightens the sense of thorough tasting. It is cognate with the French deguster and the English term degustation or degustation, which refer to similar ideas of deliberate tasting.

Common forms and roles: a degustatore or degustatrice is a taster or reviewer who assesses products as part of quality control, journalism, or sensory education. Degustazioni are often structured events in restaurants, shops, or producers’ estates, sometimes paired with education on flavor profiles, pairing, and technique.

In sum, degustare denotes the act of tasting with evaluation in Italian, while degustazione denotes a formal tasting event or session.