PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a masking agent capable of masking with the addition of an extremely small amount, rough taste of food and drink, and flavor too strong as flavor of food and drink, and especially, meat smell and grass smell in meat food and meat processed food, or grass smell in dairy products, without changing the texture and basic flavor balance of food and drink, and to provide a masking method.SOLUTION: A masking agent of meat smell and grass smell contains as the active ingredient, ethanolamine itself or an RO membrane treatment fraction of de-lactose deproteinized cheese whey or its dry matter, an ethanolamine-containing composition obtained by subjecting cheese whey, or the like to ion exchange treatment. Food and drink using the masking agent, and a masking method are also provided.SELECTED DRAWING: None【課題】飲食品の雑味や、飲食品の風味としては強すぎる風味、特に畜肉食品や畜肉加工食品における畜肉臭や牧草臭、或いは乳製品における牧草臭を、飲食品の食感や基本風味バランスを変えることなく、極少量の添加でマスキングすることのできるマスキング剤、及びマスキング方法の提供。【解決手段】エタノールアミンそのもの、又は脱乳糖脱蛋白チーズホエーのＲＯ膜処理画分やその乾燥物、或いはチーズホエーをイオン交換処理して得られるエタノールアミン含有組成物等を有効成分として含有する、畜肉臭、牧草臭のマスキング剤、及び該マスキング剤を使用した飲食品、飲食品のマスキング方法。【選択図】なし
