If one tasted a meat food must he wait 6 hours prior to eating dairy?

Chewed but did not swallow: One who chews meat is required to wait 6 hours prior to eating dairy even if he did not swallow the meat.[1] The same applies towards any food cooked with meat, that if one chewed that food, even if he did not swallow it and did not chew actual meat, he must wait six hours prior to eating dairy.[2] [Thus, if one chewed a potato that was cooked in a chicken soup or Chulent, he must wait six hours even if he did not swallow it and immediately spat it out.]

Swallowed but did not chew: If one swallowed meat he is required to wait 6 hours prior to eating dairy even if he did not chew the meat.[3] The same applies towards any food cooked with meat, that if one swallowed that food, even if he did not eat or chew actual meat, he must wait six hours prior to eating dairy.[4] [Thus, one who swallows some chicken soup for the sake of tasting it must wait six hours.]

Did not chew or swallow:[5] If one licked a meat food, or entered a meat food or dish into his mouth and immediately spat it out without even chewing or swallowing it, then he does not need to wait 6 hours prior to eating milk.[6] [He is however to rinse his mouth beforehand.[7] Hence, one may taste a meat soup or chicken soup, or lick a piece of meat, to see if it needs spices, and spit out the liquid and then rinse his mouth and eat dairy.]

Blessing: A blessing must be recited prior to eating and swallowing any amount of a food even if he is eating it for mere taste, to see if it needs spices. If, however, one plans to spit out the food, a blessing is not recited unless he chews/tastes a Kezayis/Revius or more of the food. See Topics in Practical Halacha Volume 1 Halacha 33 for the full details of this matter.

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[1] Michaber Y.D. 89:1; Tur 89:1; Following reason of Rambam Machalos Assuros 9:28, brought in Tur ibid, Taz 89:1 and Shach 89:2; Levush 89 and Issur Viheter 40:7 that so applies even according to Rashi; P”M 89 S.D. 2; Kitzur SHU”A 9

The reason: As some Poskim rule that the entire reason for waiting six hours is due to the meat stuck between the teeth, and hence it makes no difference regarding this matter whether one goes ahead and swallow it afterwards. [Taz 89:1 and Shach 89:2 in understanding of Rambam, ibid]

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that one is not required to wait six hours after simply chewing the meat if one did not swallow it, as the main reason for the wait is not due to the meaty getting stuck between one’s teeth but rather due to that after meat is swallowed it has the ability to give off a fatty taste for up to six hours after consumption. [First reason and opinion in Tur ibid, Taz ibid and Shach ibid, which follows the opinion of Rashi in his reasoning behind waiting six hours; However the Levush 89 and Issur Viheter 40:7 rule that even according to Rashi one must wait six hours after chewing, although the Shach ibid negates this approach] We follow the stringent opinion in this matter. [Tur ibid; Poskim ibid]

[2] Rama 89:3 that the custom is to wait six hours after Tavshil Shel Basar just like after meat itself; P”M 89 M”Z 1 that this applies even if one only chewed the food; Pischeiy Teshuvah 89:1 in name of Peri Megadim; Levush 89 and Issur Viheter 40:7 in their understanding of Rashi that even chewing releases fat

The reason: Although in such a case that one did not chew actual meat and did not swallow it, neither the reason of Rashi or the Rambam behind the waiting of six hours is applicable, and hence one should not need to wait, nevertheless, one is to be stringent to wait six hours. This is due to a “Lo Pelug” [a non-negotiable status] and due to that so is the custom of the Jewish people who are holy and therefore one is to be stringent and not be Poretz Geder. [P”M ibid; Shaareiy Tehsuvah ibid]

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that one who ate a “Tavshil Shel Basar is not required to wait 6 hours prior to eating dairy, even if he chewed and swallowed it. [Michaber 89:3; Rav Nachamn in Chulin 105] Practically, the custom today of even Sefaradic Jewry is to be stringent like the Rama to wait 6 hours. [Beis Yosef 173; Peri Chadash 89:18; Zivcheiy Tzedek 89:31; Birkeiy Yosef 89:30; Lechem Hapanim 89:33; Kaf Hachaim 89:50 and 55] See however Peri Chadash 89:18 and Aruch Hashulchan 89:14 that tasting a Tavshil Shel Basar does not require waiting, and he does not differentiate between chewing and not chewing, Vetzaruch Iyun

[3] Following reason of Rashi, brought in Tur 89:1; Taz 89:1, Shach 89:2, that if one ate [i.e. swallowed] the meat, he must wait.

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that one is not required to wait six hours after swallowing the meat without chewing it, as the main reason for the wait is not due to its ability to give off a fatty taste for up to six hours after consumption but rather due to that the meat gets stuck between one’s teeth. [So is implied from the reason of Rambam, brought in Tur ibid, Taz 89:1 and Shach 89:2] We follow the stringent opinion in this matter. [Tur ibid; Poskim ibid]

[4] Rama 89:3 regarding Tavshil Shel Basar that so is the custom; Aruch; Beis Yosef 173; Opinion of Rashi, Vetzaruch Iyun why the Poskim ibid [Shach, Taz, P”M 89 M”Z 1,] omit this ramification between the reason of Rashi and the Rambam

Other opinions: See previous footnotes.

[5] Hagahos Mahrashak on P”M 89 M”Z 1; Ben Ish Chaiy Shlach 9; Zivcheiy Tzedek 89:5; Darkei Teshuvah 89:22; Aruch Hashulchan 89:14; Kaf Hachaim 89:4; Kapei Aaron 30

[6] The reason: As in such a case that one did not chew anything and did not swallow it, neither the reason of Rashi or the Rambam behind the waiting of six hours is applicable, and hence one does not need to wait. Now, although we ruled that one is to be stringent to wait six hours even if he simply chews a Tavshil Shel Basar. This is due to a “Lo Pelug” [a non-negotiable status] and due to that so is the custom of the Jewish people who are holy and therefore one is to be stringent and not be Poretz Geder. However, in this case that one did not even chew it, the Lo Plug and custom does not apply.

[7] Michaber 89:2 regarding eating meat after cheese and the same would apply here; Darkei Teshuvah 89:31 and Hakashrus 10:48 regarding one who drank milk that only Hadacha is required; Aruch Hashulchan in name of Peri Chadash 89:18 that both Kinuach and Hadacha is required, however seemingly the case there is referring to one who chewed the food.