How to use MSG properly?

Some consumers are still wondering about how to use MSG, the following information will help consumers better understand how to use this spice.

The science of applying amino acids in life has made significant progress when Professor Kikunae Ikeda of Tokyo Imperial University discovered that glutamate, one of more than 20 amino acids commonly found in foods such as meat, seafood, milk and dairy products, vegetables and fruits, etc., has the ability to bring a characteristic delicious taste that the Japanese call "umami", and the Vietnamese know it under the familiar name "meat sweetness". After this discovery, he invented the seasoning MSG with the main ingredient being pure glutamate in 1909. Today, MSG is widely used in more than 100 different countries, on an industrial scale as well as in the home.

Some consumers are still wondering how to use MSG. However, the following information will help consumers better understand how to use this spice:

Firstly, MSG is a colorless, odorless spice, so it can be suitable for many different cooking methods such as stir-frying, frying, cooking... and even used in mixing dipping sauces.

Second, MSG can be added at any time during the cooking process. In fact, the cooking temperature is between 130 – 135oC for dishes with a lot of water; 155 – 170oC for dishes using butter; 175 – 200oC for dishes using oil for frying; in addition, some ovens can raise the temperature to about 250oC. Scientific data shows that within the normal cooking temperature range that ensures food safety as mentioned above, MSG does not transform into ingredients that are not good for health. Therefore, MSG can be added at any time to create the highest efficiency for the dish.

Specifically, for fried/fried or grilled dishes, you should marinate the MSG at least 15 minutes before cooking so that the MSG can penetrate deeply into the food; for stir-fried or soup dishes, you can marinate some MSG into the ingredients to increase the natural sweetness of the ingredients and when almost done cooking, you can add more spices to help perfect the delicious taste of the dish.

According to Gia dinh.net