Monosodium Glutamate, called "Vetsin" in Thailand, is a flavour enhancer which is widely used in Asian cuisine but also in western products. MSG looks like a white crystal powder and is comparable to adding a pinch of salt, so only a small amount is needed to flavour a dish. The taste is often described as the sixth taste ’Umami’ next to the other four primary tastes sweet, sour, bitter and salty. MSG enhances the savoury, meaty umami flavour of food. 

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MSG naturally occurs (in small amounts) in food like old cheese, tomatoes and fermented soy products. MSG generates an appetite, a hunger to eat more.

 

MSG in Europe is indicated with the E-number E621 and is considered safe if only limited amounts are consumed. However there is a lot of controversy surrounding MSG in the natural health community. Therefore more and more MSG free products are introduced like for instance the MSG free Sriracha sauces from Flying Goose.

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Read this interesting article about MSG from blacklist tot the spotlight!