Palate vs. Palette vs. Pallet: Taste, Colors, or Platform?

The Three Words

• Palate = the roof of the mouth; sense of taste
• Palette = a board for mixing paints; a range of colors or flavors
• Pallet = a wooden shipping platform; a makeshift bed

Using Palate

“Palate” relates to taste and the mouth:

• “The wine has a complex palate.” ✓
• “Spicy food doesn’t suit my palate.” ✓
• “She has a refined palate for coffee.” ✓
• “The soft palate helps with swallowing.” ✓ (anatomy)

Using Palette

“Palette” relates to colors and artistic ranges:

• “The artist mixed colors on her palette.” ✓
• “The designer uses a muted palette.” ✓
• “The autumn palette includes reds and oranges.” ✓
• “The chef’s flavor palette is impressive.” ✓ (extended metaphor)

Using Pallet

“Pallet” refers to platforms or simple beds:

• “Stack the boxes on the pallet.” ✓
• “The forklift moved the pallet to storage.” ✓
• “He slept on a pallet on the floor.” ✓

Memory Tricks

• Palate = “ate” is in it (eating, taste)
• Palette = “ette” like a French art term (colors)
• Pallet = two L’s like the two boards of a shipping platform