The present invention relates to taste improvement of foodstuffs, beverages, tobacco products and oral care products, using a substance according to formula (I), edible salts or edible esters thereof: It was found that substances represented by formula (I) are capable of modifying and complementing, the sensory impact of taste imparting substances. Thus, the present taste improving substances are advantageously applied in flavor compositions, foodstuffs, tobacco products and oral care products. Typical examples of taste improving substances according to the present invention include N-(2-hydroxyethyl) 3-hydroxypropionamide; N-(2-hydroxyethyl) 3-hydroxybutyramide; N-(2-hydroxyethyl) 4-hydroxybutyramide; N-(2-hydroxyethyl) N-5-hydroxypentanoylamide; N-(2-hydroxyethyl) 4-hydroxypentanoylamide; N-(2-hydroxyethyl) 3-hydroxypentanoylamide; N-(2-hydroxyethyl) 2-methyl-4-hydroxy-butyramide; N-(2-hydroxyethyl) 2-methyl-3-hydroxybutyramide; N-(2-hydroxyethyl) N-6-hydroxyhexanoylamide; N-(2-hydroxyethyl) 5-hydroxyhexanoylamide; N-(2-hydroxyethyl) 4-hydroxyhexanoylamide; N-(2-hydroxyethyl) 3-hydroxyhexanoylamide; N-(2-hydroxyethyl) 4-hydroxy-2-keto-3-methyl-pentanoylamide; N-(2-hydroxyethyl) 4-hydroxy-2-keto-3-methyl-hexanoylamide and mixtures thereof.