Characteristic taste is an important part of the culinary experience. It is composed of four components: SAVOUR, FLAVOUR, SMACK and TANG. SAVOUR is a term used to describe the overall taste of a food or drink, while FLAVOUR is the specific taste of a particular ingredient. SMACK is the sensation of taste that lingers in the mouth after eating or drinking something, while TANG is the sharp, acidic taste of certain foods. Together, these four components make up the characteristic taste of any food or beverage.