You’ve Probably Never Had Real Soy Sauce (2024)

You’ve Probably Never Had Real Soy Sauce (3)

I’d never even wondered what soy sauce was, really, until last summer, when I listened to Shunan Wang, the owner of Tea Drunk, wax rhapsodic about the complexities of the stuff, swooning over its citric notes as if it were a fine wine or whiskey.

You’ve Probably Never Had Real Soy Sauce (2024)

FAQs

What is the Kikkoman soy sauce scandal? ›

For more than 15 years, Kikkoman has conducted experiments in which animals were cut open, force-fed soy and other food products, blasted with radiation, and decapitated just to make dubious health claims—including about sexual behavior—even though authorities have clearly stated that animal experiments cannot be used ...

Is there fake soy sauce? ›

It takes weeks, or even months, to produce traditional soy sauce. A cheaper, “artificial” version can be produced in a day simply by adding hydrochloric acid to a defatted mash of soybeans, then neutralizing with sodium carbonate.

Why should you avoid soy sauce? ›

Soy is a common cause of allergy, especially in children. Soy sauce also contains wheat, which some people may be allergic to. People who have celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder caused by eating gluten, should avoid soy sauce that has gluten.

What is real soy sauce made of? ›

The four basic ingredients in soy sauce are soybeans, wheat, salt and fermenting agents like mold or yeast. Regional varieties of soy sauce may have varying amounts of these ingredients, resulting in different colors and flavors. originated in China and is now produced in many Asian countries.

Is Kikkoman soy sauce real soy sauce? ›

Kikkoman Soy Sauce is made using the traditional Japanese brewing process known as “honjozo”. We call this honjozo method, which makes use of the natural powers of fermentation, “naturally brewed”. Kikkoman Soy Sauce is made from the four basic ingredients of soybeans, wheat, salt and water.

Do Japanese use Kikkoman? ›

Kikkoman is the most popular brand of soy sauce in Japan and the United States. The city of Düsseldorf, Germany, is the European headquarters of the company.

What's the healthiest soy sauce? ›

Lee Kum Kee Less Sodium Soy Sauce

Lee Kum Kee's Less Sodium Soy Sauce offers 40% less sodium, maintaining authentic Chinese flavors. It's a great choice for health-conscious foodies who don't want to compromise on taste, making traditional Chinese dishes more balanced and healthful.

Does soy increase estrogen in females? ›

Hormone levels.

Premenopausal women have much higher circulating levels of estradiol—the major form of estrogen in the human body—than postmenopausal women. In this context soy may act like an anti-estrogen, but among postmenopausal women soy may act more like an estrogen.

Is eating soy sauce every day bad for you? ›

Some versions are healthier than others. Although soy sauce can be a delicious addition to a healthy, balanced diet, it's too salty to eat daily. Make sure to stick to a low-sodium variety if you can't get enough of this unique seasoning. Soy sauce is a fermented soy product invented 2,200 years ago in China.

How to tell if soy sauce is good quality? ›

The basics

"The best soy sauce is actually two years or older," Young said. Chemical or non-brewed soy sauce is produced quickly within days, a mixture of hydrolized soy protein and flavorings such as corn syrup and caramel. Naturally brewed soy sauce has an aroma and complexity of flavor.

What is the #1 soy sauce in Japan? ›

Typical Japanese households stock just 1 or 2 types of soy sauce, unless they are really into cooking. The most widely used type by far is koikuchi (濃い口)soy sauce. Koikuchi literally means 'dark mouth'.

What is a natural version of soy sauce? ›

A bottle of coconut aminos looks like soy sauce and has a similar salty, umami flavor. Made by fermenting coconut palm sap plus sea salt, coconut aminos is a natural swap. You can use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce with an equal, 1:1 ratio, though you may need to add extra salt.

What is the Chinese soy sauce scandal? ›

The allegations aimed at the soy sauce product allege that products sold in China were inferior to those sold in Japan. It's claimed that domestically sold soy sauce contained many more ingredients, including additives such as flavour enhancers, preservatives, and sweeteners.

Is Kikkoman ethical? ›

Fair conditions for all

We also insist that our partners adhere to our principles. Our procurement guidelines are based on the UN Global Compact and ensure high standards in terms of quality, secure supply, human rights, working conditions, environmental measures and business development.

What was the soy sauce challenge? ›

The soy sauce challenge went viral after TikTok user Regan posted a video on the study on Jan. 15, asking people with testicl*s to dip their genitals in soy sauce "for science" to see if they could taste anything through their genitals.

Why does Kikkoman taste different? ›

Traditional brewing gives Kikkoman more than 300 distinct flavor and aroma components—including those of fruits, flowers, whiskey and coffee—that come together in perfect harmony to create its unique, distinctive flavor.

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