Friends who often eat chicken essence and monosodium glutamate should pay attention, no matter how busy they are, take the time to take a look, and remember to tell family and friends when they see it.
In daily life, we are often inseparable from "firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar tea", and seasoning is an indispensable element. Without the foil of seasoning, even the best ingredients will look tasteless. Among the many seasonings, chicken essence and monosodium glutamate are undoubtedly the most controversial. There has been a constant controversy about essence of chicken and monosodium glutamate, with some people believing that monosodium glutamate is more harmful than essence of chicken and can even cause cancer. So, is this statement correct? Today, let's take a closer look at the knowledge of chicken essence and monosodium glutamate, so that you can understand these two common seasonings more comprehensively.
First, the appearance, first of all, let's recognize these two seasonings from the appearance. Essence of chicken, with its delicate appearance, oozes the aroma of chicken and is mouth-watering. MSG, on the other hand, is white crystal-like, as pure as a snowflake, delicate and shiny, with an alluring luster. Despite their different appearances, both can add a unique aroma to food that leaves a lasting impression on the mouth.
Second, the ingredients, in terms of ingredients, chicken essence and monosodium glutamate are also different. The main ingredient of MSG is "monosodium glutamate", also known as monosodium glutamate, which is one of many amino acids. It is the last decomposition product of protein, and generally the monosodium glutamate packaging will indicate that the monosodium glutamate content is greater than or equal to 99%, and the remaining 1% is composed of iron, phosphorus, sugar and other substances. Essence of chicken is a compound umami agent, its ingredients include monosodium glutamate, chicken powder, spices, salt, sugar, freshness aids and flavors. While the main component of MSG is monosodium glutamate, also known as sodium glutamate, which is one of many amino acids and the final breakdown product of proteins. Monosodium glutamate is the soul of MSG and gives food its delicious taste.
Third, color, in terms of color, monosodium glutamate presents a transparent crystalline form similar to white sugar, while chicken essence is pale yellow granular. This difference in color is due to the difference in the production process. In addition, the production method is also a significant difference between the two. MSG is mainly made from raw materials with high protein content such as wheat, gluten, and soybeans, and is prepared by hydrolysis. The essence of chicken is made on the basis of 40% monosodium glutamate, adding various compound freshness enhancers and chicken powder and other ingredients, through a series of complex processes.
Fourth, in terms of taste, there are subtle differences between chicken essence and monosodium glutamate. Essence of chicken has a rich texture and has a well-balanced chicken flavor that gives a warm and refreshing feeling. It can increase the umami flavor of food and make dishes more delicious and tasty. In contrast, monosodium glutamate is a synthetic monosodium glutamate, and although essence of chicken also contains glutamate, there is a certain difference from the composition of monosodium glutamate. Therefore, for people with higher requirements for ingredients, chicken essence is more suitable.
So which dishes are suitable for MSG in daily life? In fact, not all dishes are suitable for adding MSG. For example, dishes that are too acidic or too alkaline are not suitable for adding MSG. Because monosodium glutamate is prone to chemical reactions in alkaline dishes, it not only fails to add flavor, but also may produce undesirable odors. Therefore, it is important to keep in mind the proper use when using MSG.
In addition, for which groups of people are not suitable for excessive consumption of chicken essence and monosodium glutamate? People with high blood pressure, renal insufficiency and other diseases should be cautious to avoid aggravating the condition. For infants and young children, because their kidney metabolic system has not yet developed, it is not recommended to consume too much chicken essence and monosodium glutamate.
There is a saying circulating on the Internet that "eating MSG can cause cancer". In fact, it is completely safe under normal consumption. Monosodium glutamate is an amino acid that the body needs to help the body form proteins. However, care should be taken to avoid heating to a high temperature of more than 120 degrees for a long time, otherwise monosodium glutamate will be converted to sodium pyroglutamate and may produce carcinogens. Therefore, neither chicken essence nor monosodium glutamate can be heated at high temperature for a long time. In addition, excessive consumption of anything can have adverse effects, so be sure to use it in moderation. To avoid prolonged high-temperature heating, it is recommended to add chicken bouillon or MSG at the final stage of cooking the dish. Essence of chicken and monosodium glutamate are common seasonings in our daily life. As long as they are used correctly, they all add a delicious flavor to our dishes.