The present invention relates to the field of improving the flavor of foodstuffs, beverages, tobacco products, pharmaceutics and oral care products. More particularly, the present invention provides flavor modulating substances selected from the group represented by formula (I): and edible salts thereof and edible esters thereof, which can advantageously be used for modulating the flavor of foodstuffs, beverages, tobacco products, pharmaceutics and oral care products. These flavor modulating substances can be used to impart desirable taste attributes in a wide variety of applications and products. In addition, the present flavor modulating substances are capable of modulating the taste and/or aroma impact of other, flavor imparting, substances contained within these same products, thereby improving the overall flavor quality of these products.