Soy-sauce is one of the seasoning, which is made of soybeans and used in the entire world. The usage depends on people and food. How do you use the seasoning? In my friend’s case, she put a bit of say-sauce on the steamed rice and just eats. When I have an avocado, I usually dip a slice of avocado in soy-sauce with wasabi, which is called Japanese horseradish in English. Don’t you think entertaining way to eat? As you know, Soy-sauce has a wide range of abilities to match with variety of tastes. Since soy-sauce is one of fermented food, such as Douchi in China, Cheese in Europe, and Miso in Japan. This type of food is said as “treasure house of amino acids” according to Ajinomono.Co. What is relationship between taste and amino acids?
Amino acids have 20 kinds and needed to make up proteins. “These of 9 must be taken from food since they are not synthesized in the body. Therefore, they are called "essential amino acids".” Each amino acid is given respective taste. For instance, aspartic acid and glutamine have sore and Umami tastes, and valine and leucine have a bitter taste. Valine has also sweet taste as well as Glycine and alanine. It seems that “combination of amino acids with their respective tastes is a key determinant for the taste of food. Furthermore, it infinitely expands the possibility of a new taste or function.”
Soy-sauce carries out the essential function. In the process of making up soy-sauce, wheat, soybeans, and the Fungus which are named Aspergillus oryzae are required at least. This Fungus is the most important of all ingredients since it produces a lot of amino acids among fermentation. Finally, they are mainly taste in soy-sauce, and gives variety food new taste. Therefore, soy-sauce is all-purpose seasoning!!
Lastly, I would like to introduce to you some unique ways to use soy-sauce. Surprisingly, it is to sprinkle a bit of soy-sauce over the top of the vanilla Ica cream. Kikkoman.co.which is one of the famous soy-sauce companies in the world, says that say-sauce draws out the flavor of the ice cream and gives it a delicious caramel-like aroma. Other one is to dip a slice of tomato into a bit of soy-sauce. It seems that soy-sauce makes the tomato sweeter. If you are interested in these usages, you can try! Also, please let me know how to use soy-sauce if you have any unique experience.
Reference
・http://kikkoman.com/soysaucemuseum/making/01.shtml
・http://www.ajinomoto.com/amino/eng/food.html
・http://kikkoman.com/soysaucemuseum/making/01.shtml
・http://www.ajinomoto.com/amino/eng/food.html
