penambah

Penambah is a term used in Indonesian and Malay to describe a person or object that increases or augments something. Etymologically, it derives from tambah, meaning to add, with the agentive prefix pen-, forming a noun that refers to the actor or the thing that adds. In everyday language, penambah can refer to a wide range of agents that raise a measurable attribute such as quantity, quality, or value.

In practical use, penambah appears in various contexts. In the food and beverage industry, the phrase penambah rasa is common for what English speakers would call flavor enhancers, additives that intensify taste. Color additives may be described as penambah warna. In nutrition and wellness contexts, penambah can refer more generally to boosters or supplements intended to increase energy, nutrients, or overall performance. The term can be informal or descriptive rather than a formal product category.

Regulatory and labeling considerations vary by country. In Indonesia, formal terminology for food additives is bahan tambahan pangan (BTP), and official standards emphasize safety and proper labeling. While penambah is widely understood in everyday language, it is not a formal regulatory term and its exact meaning depends on context, whether it is discussing cuisine, nutrition, cosmetics, or manufacturing.

See also: bahan tambahan pangan, penambah rasa, penambah warna, flavor enhancer, supplement.