Sweet vs. Savory — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on December 30, 2023
Sweet refers to a sugary taste, often found in desserts and fruits, while savory describes a spicy, salty, or herbal flavor typical of meats, vegetables, and main dishes.
Difference Between Sweet and Savory
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Sweet flavors are characterized by their sugary, pleasant taste, often associated with desserts like cakes and candies. In contrast, savory flavors boast a richer, often salty or spicy profile, common in meats and cooked vegetables.
The sensation of sweetness is primarily due to the presence of sugars, creating a delightful and often comforting taste experience. Savory, however, relies on a complex blend of saltiness, spices, and herbs to achieve its distinct, hearty taste.
Sweetness often invokes a sense of indulgence and is typically linked to treats and special occasions. Savory flavors, on the other hand, are more associated with main courses, offering a fulfilling and robust taste.
In culinary arts, sweet ingredients are key in baking and dessert-making, where sugar and sweetness are central. Conversely, savory ingredients dominate in cooking main dishes, where herbs, spices, and umami flavors are paramount.
Sweet and savory also differ in their pairing with beverages: sweet tastes are often complemented by lighter, sometimes fruity drinks, while savory dishes pair well with a broader range of beverages, including robust wines and beers.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Primary Taste Component
Sugars
Salts, herbs, spices
Common Food Examples
Desserts, fruits
Meats, vegetables, main dishes
Sensory Experience
Pleasing, comforting
Hearty, robust
Culinary Use
Baking, dessert-making
Main course cooking
Beverage Pairing
Light, fruity drinks
Robust wines, beers
Compare with Definitions
Sweet
Having a sugary flavor.
The cake was deliciously sweet.
Savory
Morally wholesome or acceptable.
His actions were not considered savory.
Sweet
Pleasing to the senses.
The melody was sweet and soothing.
Savory
Respectable or decent.
His reputation was savory in the community.
Sweet
Indicative of happiness or pleasure.
They shared a sweet moment together.
Savory
Having a spicy or salty flavor without sweetness.
The stew was savory and satisfying.
Sweet
Endearing or kind.
Her sweet nature made her loved by all.
Savory
Pleasingly pungent or appetizing.
The aroma of savory herbs filled the kitchen.
Sweet
Free from unpleasantness.
The victory was a sweet relief.
Savory
Relating to food that is not sweet.
I prefer savory snacks over sugary ones.
Sweet
Having the pleasant taste characteristic of sugar or honey; not salt, sour, or bitter
A cup of hot sweet tea
Savory
Appetizing to the taste or smell
A savory stew.
Sweet
Pleasing in general; delightful
It was the sweet life he had always craved
Savory
Piquant, pungent, or salty to the taste; not sweet.
Sweet
(of a person or action) pleasant and kind or thoughtful
It was sweet of you to come
A very sweet nurse came along
Savory
Morally respectable; inoffensive
A past that was scarcely savory.
Sweet
Used for emphasis in various phrases and exclamations
What had happened? Sweet nothing
Savory
A dish of pungent taste, such as anchovies on toast or pickled fruit, sometimes served in Great Britain as an hors d'oeuvre or instead of a sweet dessert.
Sweet
A small shaped piece of confectionery made with sugar
A bag of sweets
Savory
An annual Mediterranean aromatic herb (Satureja hortensis) of the mint family, having pale lavender to white flowers. Also called summer savory.
Sweet
A sweet dish forming a course of a meal; a pudding or dessert.
Savory
A related Mediterranean aromatic perennial herb (Satureja montana), having white or pink flowers. Also called winter savory.
Sweet
Used as an affectionate form of address
Hello, my sweet
Savory
The leaves of either of these plants, used as seasoning.
Sweet
The sweet part or element of something
You have had the bitter, now comes the sweet
Savory
Tasty, attractive to the palate.
The fine restaurant presented an array of savory dishes; each was delicious.
Sweet
Having the taste of sugar or a substance containing or resembling sugar, as honey or saccharin.
Savory
Salty and/or spicy, but not sweet.
The mushrooms, meat, bread, rice, peanuts and potatoes were all good savory foods.
Sweet
Containing or derived from sugar.
Savory
Umami, modern
The savory rabbit soup contrasted well with the sweet cucumber sandwiches with jam.
Sweet
Retaining some natural sugar; not dry
A sweet wine.
Savory
(figuratively) Morally or ethically acceptable.
Readers are to be warned that quotations in this chapter contain some not so savory language.
Sweet
Pleasing to the senses; agreeable
The sweet song of the lark.
A sweet face.
Savory
(American spelling) A savory snack.
Sweet
Pleasing to the mind or feelings; gratifying
Sweet revenge.
Savory
Any of several Mediterranean herbs, of the genus Satureja, grown as culinary flavourings.
Sweet
Having a pleasing disposition; lovable
A sweet child.
Savory
The leaves of these plants used as a flavouring.
Sweet
Kind; gracious
It was sweet of him to help out.
Savory
Pleasing to the organs of taste or smell.
The chewing flocksHad ta'en their supper on the savory herb.
Sweet
Fragrant; perfumed
A sweet scent.
Savory
An aromatic labiate plant (Satureia hortensis), much used in cooking; - also called summer savory.
Sweet
Not saline or salted
Sweet water.
Sweet butter.
Savory
Any of several aromatic herbs or subshrubs of the genus Satureja having spikes of flowers attractive to bees
Sweet
Not spoiled, sour, or decaying; fresh
Sweet milk.
Savory
Dwarf aromatic shrub of Mediterranean regions
Sweet
Free of acid or acidity
Sweet soil.
Savory
Either of two aromatic herbs of the mint family
Sweet
Low in sulfur content
Sweet fuel oil.
Savory
An aromatic or spicy dish served at the end of dinner or as an hors d'oeuvre
Sweet
(Music) Of, relating to, or being a form of jazz characterized by adherence to a melodic line and to a time signature.
Savory
Morally respectable or inoffensive;
A past that was scarcely savory
Sweet
Remarkable; outstanding.
Savory
Having an agreeably pungent taste
Sweet
Used as an intensive
Took his own sweet time to finish.
Earns a sweet million per year.
Savory
Pleasing to the sense of taste
Sweet
In a sweet manner; sweetly.
Sweet
Sweet taste or quality; sweetness.
Sweet
Something sweet to the taste.
Sweet
Foods, such as candy, pastries, puddings, or preserves, that are high in sugar content.
Sweet
(Informal) Sweet potatoes
Candied sweets.
Sweet
A sweet dish, such as pudding, served as dessert.
Sweet
A sweetmeat or confection.
Sweet
A dear or beloved person.
Sweet
Something pleasing to the mind or feelings.
Sweet
Having a pleasant taste, especially one relating to the basic taste sensation induced by sugar.
A sweet apple
Sweet
Having a taste of sugar.
Sweet
(wine) Retaining a portion of sugar.
Sweet wines are better dessert wines.
Sweet
Not having a salty taste.
Sweet butter
Sweet
Having a pleasant smell.
A sweet scent
Sweet
Not decaying, fermented, rancid, sour, spoiled, or stale.
Sweet milk
Sweet
Having a pleasant sound.
A sweet tune
Sweet
Having a pleasing disposition.
A sweet child
You're so sweet!
Sweet
Having a helpful disposition.
It was sweet of him to help out.
Sweet
(mineralogy) Free from excessive unwanted substances like acid or sulphur.
Sweet gas
Sweet soil
Sweet crude oil
Sweet
(informal) Very pleasing; agreeable.
The new Lexus was a sweet birthday gift.
Sweet
(slang) Doing well; in a good or happy position.
Sweet
Romantically fixated; enamored with; fond of.
The attraction was mutual and instant; they were sweet on one another from first sight.
Sweet
; not salt or brackish.
Sweet water
Sweet
To the eye; beautiful; mild and attractive; fair.
A sweet face
A sweet colour or complexion
Sweet
An intensifier.
Sweet
Used as a positive response to good news or information.
They're making a sequel? Ah, sweet!
Sweet
In a sweet manner.
Sweet
(uncountable) The basic taste sensation induced by sugar.
Sweet
A confection made from sugar, or high in sugar content; a candy.
Sweet
A food eaten for dessert.
Can we see the sweet menu, please?
Sweet
Synonym of sweetheart, a term of affection.
Good evening, my sweet.
Sweet
(obsolete) That which is sweet or pleasant in odour; a perfume.
Sweet
(obsolete) Sweetness, delight; something pleasant to the mind or senses.
Sweet
To sweeten.
Sweet
Having an agreeable taste or flavor such as that of sugar; saccharine; - opposed to sour and bitter; as, a sweet beverage; sweet fruits; sweet oranges.
Sweet
Pleasing to the smell; fragrant; redolent; balmy; as, a sweet rose; sweet odor; sweet incense.
The breath of these flowers is sweet to me.
Sweet
Pleasing to the ear; soft; melodious; harmonious; as, the sweet notes of a flute or an organ; sweet music; a sweet voice; a sweet singer.
To make his English sweet upon his tongue.
A voice sweet, tremulous, but powerful.
Sweet
Pleasing to the eye; beautiful; mild and attractive; fair; as, a sweet face; a sweet color or complexion.
Sweet interchangeOf hill and valley, rivers, woods, and plains.
Sweet
Fresh; not salt or brackish; as, sweet water.
Sweet
Not changed from a sound or wholesome state. Specifically: (a) Not sour; as, sweet milk or bread. (b) Not state; not putrescent or putrid; not rancid; as, sweet butter; sweet meat or fish.
Sweet
Plaesing to the mind; mild; gentle; calm; amiable; winning; presuasive; as, sweet manners.
Canst thou bind the sweet influence of Pleiades?
Mildness and sweet reasonableness is the one established rule of Christian working.
Sweet
That which is sweet to the taste; - used chiefly in the plural.
Sweet
That which is sweet or pleasant in odor; a perfume.
Sweet
That which is pleasing or grateful to the mind; as, the sweets of domestic life.
A little bitter mingled in our cup leaves no relish of the sweet.
Sweet
One who is dear to another; a darling; - a term of endearment.
Sweet
Sweetly.
Sweet
To sweeten.
Sweet
English phonetician; one of the founders of modern phonetics (1845-1912)
Sweet
A dish served as the last course of a meal
Sweet
A food rich in sugar
Sweet
The taste experience when sugar dissolves in the mouth
Sweet
The property of containing sugar
Sweet
Having a pleasant taste (as of sugar)
Sweet
Having a sweet nature befitting an angel or cherub;
An angelic smile
A cherubic face
Looking so seraphic when he slept
A sweet disposition
Sweet
Pleasing to the ear;
The dulcet tones of the cello
Sweet
One of the four basic taste sensations; very pleasant; like the taste of sugar or honey
Sweet
Pleasing to the senses;
The sweet song of the lark
The sweet face of a child
Sweet
Pleasing to the mind or feeling;
Sweet revenge
Sweet
Having a natural fragrance;
Odoriferous spices
The odorous air of the orchard
The perfumed air of June
Scented flowers
Sweet
(used of wines) having a sweet taste
Sweet
Not soured or preserved;
Sweet milk
Sweet
With sweetening added
Sweet
Not having a salty taste;
Sweet water
Sweet
In an affectionate or loving manner (`sweet' is sometimes a poetic or informal variant of `sweetly');
Susan Hayward plays the wife sharply and sweetly
How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank
Talking sweet to each other
Common Curiosities
What makes a food sweet?
Foods with high sugar content are generally sweet.
Can savory foods contain sugar?
Yes, but in lesser amounts and often balanced with other flavors.
Are sweet tastes always linked to desserts?
Mostly, but sweet flavors can also be part of savory dishes.
Do people universally prefer sweet over savory?
Taste preferences vary; some prefer sweet, others savory.
Is honey considered sweet or savory?
Honey is sweet, though it can be used in savory dishes.
Are savory dishes healthier than sweet?
It depends on the ingredients and preparation methods.
Is chocolate considered sweet or savory?
Generally sweet, though dark chocolate can have savory notes.
Is saltiness a part of savory taste?
Yes, saltiness is a key component of savory flavors.
Can sweet foods be spicy?
Yes, some sweet foods incorporate spicy elements.
Are spices always savory?
Mostly, though some spices can add sweetness.
Do sweet flavors pair well with savory ones?
Yes, in many cuisines, the combination is quite popular.
Can savory dishes be vegetarian?
Absolutely, many savory dishes are plant-based.
Can savory foods be desserts?
Rarely, as desserts are typically sweet.
Are savory foods always salty?
Not always, but salt enhances savory flavors.
Do children prefer sweet over savory?
Many do, but preferences can vary and change with age.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Asymptomatic vs. Symptomatic
Next Comparison
Homeothermic vs. PoikilothermAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
