Gentian, also known as bitter root and gall weed, is a perennial herb
that produces yellow blossoms with feathery petals that look more like
leaves than flowers.
Due to the bitter characteristics of gentian, the plant has a long
history of use as a digestive, a practice that began in the Greco-Roman
period and continues today. Aside from being included in alcoholic
bitters, the herb is a featured ingredient in vermouth.
The bitter properties of gentian root are due to glycosides such as amarogentin,
isogentisin, mangiferin and gentiopicrin. Of particular interest is amarogentin,
which is said to be the most bitter-tasting compound in the world. It is
speculated that this phytochemical may trigger the activation of a dormant
bitter taste receptor gene in humans known as hTAS2R50.
