Final answer:
Umami is the term for savoriness in food, recognized as one of the basic tastes, and is associated with the amino acid L-glutamate found in protein-rich foods.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term for savoriness in food is umami, which is option b). Umami refers to one of the basic taste modalities that humans can perceive. This taste is attributed to the presence of amino acids, particularly the amino acid L-glutamate, which is present in protein-rich foods. The discovery of umami as a distinct taste was made in 1908 by the Japanese scientist Kikunae Ikeda. Substances that have umami are often described as savory because they are high in protein, making umami a crucial element for enhancing the flavor of various dishes including those containing meat.