ripaus

Ripaus is a Finnish culinary term used to indicate adding a small, unspecified amount of seasoning or flavoring to a dish. It conveys a light, tastable touch and is not a measured quantity.

In practice, ripaus can refer to salt, pepper, sugar, herbs, vanilla, citrus zest, or other flavorings. It is typically used when a cook wants to fine-tune a dish, often toward the end of cooking or during plating. Because it is non-specific, cooks rely on taste, experience, and context rather than a fixed measurement.

The word translates roughly as "a touch" or "a hint" of something. In English, it is commonly rendered as "a pinch" or "a dash," though the actual amount varies depending on the ingredient and the cook's preferences.

Cultural context for ripaus is primarily within Finnish home cooking, instructional cookbooks, and culinary media. It reflects a flexible approach to seasoning that prioritizes taste and judgment over strict measurements, allowing for adjustments to suit individual palettes and ingredient strengths.

See also: pinch, dash, to taste.