maustamaan

Maustamaan is a Finnish verb meaning to flavor or season food by adding spices, herbs, salt, sugar, or other flavorings. It is derived from the verb maustaa and appears in the -maan/-mään form as a non-finite variant used to express the act or purpose of seasoning, for example in recipe texts or cooking instructions.

Usage and grammar: Maustamaan is a transitive verb that typically takes a direct object, such as a dish or food item. Common sentences include Mausta keitto suolalla ja pippurilla (Season the soup with salt and pepper) or Haluatko maustaa ruokaa chilillä? (Do you want to season the food with chili?). The associated noun maustaminen refers to the act of seasoning, while maustettu describes something that has been seasoned.

Common ingredients and practices: Seasoning often involves salt and pepper, as well as other spices and flavor enhancers such as sugar, herbs (dill, marjoram, thyme), garlic, onion, chilies, and sauces. The choice and timing of seasoning affect flavor balance, aroma, and overall perception of a dish. In cooking, timing (early vs. late addition) is a frequent topic of guidance to achieve desired intensity and harmony.

Related terms: mauste (spice or seasoning), maustaminen (the act of seasoning), and maustekasvi (spice plant or herb commonly used for flavoring).

See also: Finnish culinary terminology related to flavoring and seasoning, such as recipes and cooking instructions that incorporate maustaminen.