Changing tastes and decades of reliable science are behind the growing popularity of monosodium glutamate (MSG) as a kitchen staple.
Consumers and diners are increasingly eager to add savory flavor to meals and snacks. Food manufacturers, chefs, and mixologists see the demand for umami-forward products and are introducing new ways to include the fifth taste in their offerings. And umami ingredients, including MSG, are helping to deliver that flavor. A recent FoodDive article pointed out, “As umami becomes more familiar, interest is extending beyond cuisine itself and into the ingredients that help create it—especially those that make building savory depth at home more achievable.”
Umami is a leading food trend, with Americans looking for ways to amplify savory flavor in recipes, prepared foods, cocktails, and staple beverages like coffee. The mixology world has embraced umami cocktails and mocktails with MSG. Slurrp recently noted the difference even a tiny pinch of MSG can make in a crafted beverage: “When added to a drink, MSG creates a velvety mouthfeel and a long finish that keeps you reaching for the next sip.”
Meanwhile, the Internet makes it easy for home cooks to find recipes and tips to boost the savory flavor of their dishes using MSG. Chowhound recently highlighted the potential for MSG mixed with salt, as well as other umami-rich ingredients, to build more flavor into slow-cooker recipes for busy families. And for “the best burger you’ve ever had,” Tasting Table’s secret to elevating meatiness and savory flavor is – you guessed it – MSG.
MSG not only adds flavor to foods; it can also help with reducing sodium consumption, an important health benefit. Americans and others throughout the world are watching their sodium intake, both in homemade meals and ready-to-eat foods. With approximately one-third the amount of sodium in table salt, MSG can be key to maintaining the bold, savory flavors consumers enjoy without increasing the amount of salt they are eating. Culinary experts have long known about MSG’s ability to add flavor without increasing salt, and a new generation of home cooks now see the transformative results that MSG can deliver in their own recipes.
Thanks to decades of science backing MSG’s safety, food enthusiasts are embracing the umami seasoning as a culinary tool that makes dishes and drinks more flavorful and satisfying. In addition to convenience foods and restaurant fare that have incorporated MSG for years, individual cooks are becoming more comfortable using it in their own kitchen. “Today, as global cuisines become more accessible and social platforms make restaurant-style cooking feel more within reach, umami is stepping into the spotlight as one of the defining tastes influencing how Americans cook and eat,” FoodDive affirms. And MSG is leading the way.
Featured photo by Alex Haney on Unsplash
Dinner and drinks photo by Jeppe Mønster on Unsplash
