Aunt Zhang is a warm-hearted aunt who usually likes to study health preservation. One day, she saw an article in a WeChat group saying that eating too much oyster sauce can cause cancer. This frightened Aunt Zhang, who usually cooks with oyster sauce to enhance the flavor.
She was beating a drum in her heart, but she felt that she had to figure it out. So, Aunt Zhang began to inquire around, and went to the vegetable market and chatted with the owner who sold spices for a long time. The boss told her that oyster sauce itself does not cause cancer, and the key is to eat it in moderation and pay attention to how to preserve it.
Aunt Zhang breathed a sigh of relief, but she still muttered in her heart: Are there any other hidden "cancers" in the kitchen? She decided to go home and take a good inventory, and by the way, remind the neighbors.
Hey, is it the truth or a rumor that this oyster sauce causes cancer? What other secrets do we don't know about in the kitchen? Let's talk about it later!
01
Oyster sauce is a common condiment that is mainly made by concentrating and processing the juice extracted from oysters. It has a unique umami taste and aroma and is widely used in Chinese cuisine.
The main components of oyster sauce include amino acids, minerals and esters.
How oyster sauce is preserved
Oyster sauce should be consumed as soon as possible after opening the bottle or stored in a cool, dry place. As oyster sauce is susceptible to oxidation, it is recommended to store it in the refrigerator to avoid exposure to sunlight or high temperatures.
At the same time, contact with air should be avoided as much as possible to prolong its shelf life.
Signs of oyster sauce spoilage
Once oyster sauce has gone bad, there are some telltale signs. First of all, the oyster sauce may become lighter or darker brown in color, and the liquid will also become thinner.
Second, spoiled oyster sauce may give off a sour or musty smell. In addition, the taste of oyster sauce will also change after spoilage, losing its original umami and aroma.
How to tell if oyster sauce has gone bad
To tell if oyster sauce has gone bad, you can use the following methods:
Observe the appearance: A normal oyster sauce should be a thick liquid with uniform shades of color. If you notice that the oyster sauce is lighter or uneven in color, it may be a sign of spoilage.
Smell: Normal oyster sauce should have a distinctive umami taste and aroma. If you smell oyster sauce, it may have gone bad.
Taste: If the taste of the oyster sauce has changed significantly and lost its original umami, then it is likely to have deteriorated.
The right way to store oyster sauce
In order to maintain the quality and nutritional content of oyster sauce, it is important to store it correctly. It is recommended to store oyster sauce in the refrigerator in the refrigerator to avoid exposure to high temperatures.
Also, to avoid contact with the air as much as possible, you can pour the oyster sauce into a clean container and seal it as soon as possible.
Comparison of how oyster sauce is stored with other seasonings
Similar to oyster sauce, some other seasonings also require proper storage. For example, fermented seasonings such as tempeh and fish sauce should be refrigerated to avoid bacterial growth.
Condiments containing eggs or vegetables, such as mayonnaise, ketchup, etc., should also be kept as refrigerated as possible to prolong their shelf life.
Take stock of several "cancer pitfalls" hidden in the kitchen
lampblack
Oil smoke is a gas produced during the cooking process that contains a large number of harmful substances, such as benzopyrene, benzene, etc., which are considered carcinogenic.
Long-term exposure to oil fumes increases the risk of respiratory diseases and lung cancer. Therefore, it is very important to use a range hood and keep the kitchen ventilated.
Heating of cooking oil
Cooking oils heated at high temperatures produce carcinogens such as acrylamide. It is advisable to choose cooking oil that is suitable for high-temperature cooking and avoid high-temperature heating for long periods of time.
mold
The kitchen is a breeding ground for mold, especially in humid environments such as cutting boards, drawers, etc. Aflatoxin produced by mold is a strong carcinogen and the kitchen should be cleaned regularly to keep it dry.
food additives
Some food additives, such as nitrite and sodium benzoate, are thought to pose a possible carcinogenic risk. Choose foods that are free of additives and try to avoid too many processed foods.
Pots and pans are selected
Some substandard pots and pans may release harmful substances such as lead, cadmium and other heavy metals. Choose a high-quality nonstick pan and be careful not to over-wear the surface of the pan.
Food storage
Improper storage of food may also increase the risk of cancer, such as prolonged storage and unsuitable temperature. Food should be stored properly and spoiled food should be avoided.