Three Tips to Help You Identify Soy Sauce Types

CCTV News: Soy sauce is an indispensable condiment in people's daily meals. To cater to a variety of tastes and preferences, the classification of soy sauce has become increasingly complex, leaving consumers somewhat perplexed. For example, does "low-sodium soy sauce" really contain less salt?

Supermarket shelves are stocked with hundreds of soy sauce options. Most consumers admit they purchase based on taste and the information on the label, finding it challenging to judge the quality of soy sauce. The densely packed ingredient lists often leave people bewildered. In reality, this small condiment hides a wealth of knowledge.

Question 1: Does Seafood Soy Sauce Really Contain Seafood? Is Mushroom Soy Sauce Made Solely from Mushrooms?

Take mushroom soy sauce, for instance. While the ingredient list may include mushrooms and scallops, in some cases, these ingredients are used for flavor and may not necessarily contribute those nutritional elements.

Question 2: Is Children's Soy Sauce Truly Suitable for Kids?

Experts suggest that a significant portion of soy sauce consists of salt. Therefore, soy sauce is not recommended for children under one year of age. Children aged one to three can use low-sodium soy sauce.

Question 3: Is "Light" or "Low-Sodium" Soy Sauce Really Low in Salt?

Most low-sodium soy sauces on the market contain sodium levels ranging from 690 to 850 micrograms per 15 milliliters. While this is indeed lower than regular soy sauce, it is suitable for individuals with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or high blood sugar.

Question 4: Is Organic Soy Sauce of Higher Quality?

Generally, the higher the content of amino nitrogen, the better the quality of soy sauce. When choosing organic soy sauce, consider factors such as the brewing process, grade, and ingredient list.

Question 5: Does the Label "Brewed" Indicate Authentic Brewing?

The label "brewed" does not necessarily mean it's authentic brewed soy sauce. Some soy sauces labeled as "brewed" may have attractive prices but primarily consist of brewed soy sauce mixed with food additives. According to experts, authentic brewed soy sauce is typically made from ingredients like soybeans, wheat, and bran through a fermentation process, with main components being amino acids, sugar, and organic acids. This is considered the best quality.

So, how can you buy good soy sauce? Pay attention to these three things: Label, Shake, and Stir.

Check the Label: Sodium glutamate, a significant component of soy sauce, is also a key ingredient in chicken essence and monosodium glutamate (MSG). Caramel color is mainly used for enhancing color, while potassium sorbate is used as a preservative.

Shake It: Shake the bottle; if it clings to the bottle's inner walls without additives, it's brewed soy sauce.

Stir It: Pour soy sauce into a cup and stir; authentic brewed soy sauce will produce fine, long-lasting foam. In contrast, the foam from first-grade or third-grade soy sauce dissipates quickly. Soy sauce with higher amino acid concentrations will create more persistent foam. Alternatively, mix soy sauce with white wine at a 3:1 ratio. Brewed soy sauce will form sediments, while blended soy sauce will not.