DISCLOSED IS A TASTE ENHANCING AGENT FOR ACHIEVING SUFFICIENT SALTINESS OR SWEETNESS EVEN IN CASES WHERE THE SALT CONTENT OR SUGAR CONTENT IN FOOD IS REDUCED. SPECIFICALLY DISCLOSED IS A TASTE ENHANCING AGENT WHICH CONTAINS ONE OR MORE SUBSTANCES SELECTED FROM AMONG LINEAR ALIPHATIC ALDEHYDES HAVING 3-10 CARBON ATOMS AND LINEAR ALIPHATIC ALCOHOLS HAVING 4-10 CARBON ATOMS AS ACTIVE INGREDIENTS. THE AMOUNT OF SALT CONTENT OR SUGAR CONTENT ADDED TO FOOD CAN BE REDUCED BY ADDING THE TASTE ENHANCING AGENT TO THE FOOD.