What kind of flavor does a 'brine' impart to food?

Brining involves soaking food, particularly meats, in a solution of water and salt, often combined with various additional ingredients such as herbs, spices, and sometimes sugar. This process draws moisture into the food through osmosis and flavors it in a way that enhances its overall taste.

The primary flavor imparted by brining is salty. This salt not only enhances the natural flavors of the food but also helps to penetrate and season it deeply, resulting in a juicier and more flavorful final product. While brining might include other flavors from additional ingredients, the foundational taste that characterizes this technique is the saltiness. Thus, understanding the role of salt in brining explains why it is viewed as a key flavor component in this culinary method.