As foodies and culinary experts worldwide celebrate monosodium glutamate (MSG) for its ability to increase umami taste in savory foods, home cooks are using tips from professionals to incorporate the flavor-boosting ingredient into their own creations.
MSG is recognized by chefs and home cooks worldwide as a powerhouse that provides food with a savory lift – and a healthy way to season food using less added sodium than table salt. Fans of the umami seasoning encourage everyone to try using it, both in their cooking and to season food when they are ready to eat. In Financial Times, popular Brooklyn-based chef Calvin Eng recommends a taste test for those new to using MSG: “Try it with broth or soup. Have one serving without seasoning. One with just salt. And one with reduced salt and MSG. It’ll be an ‘aha!’ moment when you taste the difference.” Many restaurants, from high-end dining to convenience establishments, serve foods seasoned with MSG and have even expanded its use to their drink menus.
As Esquire writer Sasha Lim Uy noted in a recent article, the market for MSG is growing worldwide, valued at $1.17 billion in 2024 in North America alone. “This growth is linked to an increased appreciation for umami flavors and the widespread use of MSG in processed foods, seasonings and prepared meals.” Foods with natural glutamate, such as cheese, tomatoes, mushrooms, and shrimp, provide savory satisfaction. The growing demand for umami has led more home cooks to season foods with MSG as well. As one Reddit user commented in the r/cooking subreddit, “MSG is so underrated. Once you stop fearing it and start using it, it’s like unlocking a cheat code for flavour.”
Umami Seasoning Is Safe to Use…and Natural
Due to misinformation spread for decades, MSG continues to be a subject of debate online. However, years of studies have confirmed that there is no evidence it is a health risk for most people, and the Food and Drug Administration classifies MSG as “generally recognized as safe.” In fact, a recent list of “15 Food Myths So Wrong, They’re Iconic” from Tasting Table affirmed that glutamate is found in everyday fare: “There’s no shortage of claims, from it being blamed for headaches and exhaustion to vague ideas about it just being unhealthy. Absolutely none of this is true, and in fact, if you regularly eat foods like tomatoes and mushrooms, you’re eating MSG all the time.”
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