Soy sauce facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Soy sauce
A bowl of soy sauce
Mandarin Chinese name
Traditional Chinese	醬油
Simplified Chinese	酱油
Literal meaning	"sauce oil"
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin jiàngyóu Wade–Giles chiang4-yu2 Yue: Cantonese Yale Romanization jeung-yàuh Jyutping zoeng3-jau4
Cantonese/Hokkien name
Chinese	豉油
Literal meaning	"fermented bean oil"
Transcriptions Yue: Cantonese Yale Romanization sihyàuh Jyutping si6jau4 Southern Min Hokkien POJ tāu-iû
Burmese name
Burmese	ပဲငံပြာရည်
Vietnamese name
Vietnamese	xì dầu or nước tương
Thai name
Thai	ซีอิ๊ว (RTGS: si-iw)
Korean name
Hangul	간장
Literal meaning	"seasoning sauce"
Transcriptions Revised Romanization ganjang McCune–Reischauer kanjang
Japanese name
Kanji	醤油
Kana	しょうゆ
Transcriptions Revised Hepburn shōyu
Malay name
Malay	kicap
Indonesian name
Indonesian	kecap
Filipino name
Tagalog	toyo

A bottle of Japanese soy sauce

Soy sauce is a popular liquid seasoning. It is made from soybeans, roasted grains (like wheat), water, and salt. This mixture goes through a special process called fermentation. This means tiny living things, like molds and bacteria, help to break down the ingredients. This process gives soy sauce its unique flavor and color.

Soy sauce is a very important part of Chinese, Japanese, and Korean cuisine. You might also find it in some Western dishes. For example, it is an ingredient in Worcestershire sauce.

Most soy sauces have a little bit of alcohol added when they are bottled. This alcohol helps keep the sauce fresh and stops it from going bad. Because of this, it is best to keep soy sauce in the fridge after you open it. Also, try to keep it out of direct sunlight. If an opened bottle is left out, it might start to taste a little bitter.

All types of soy sauce are salty and have an earthy taste. They are brownish liquids used to add flavor to food while cooking or at the table. The Japanese call a special, savory taste in soy sauce "umami". The Chinese call it "xian-wei," which means "fresh taste." It is a deep, satisfying flavor that makes food taste even better.

This seasoning first came from China. But today, it is used in many different cuisines all over Asia. It is especially important for adding flavor in Japanese cuisine. There are many different kinds of soy sauce, each with its own special qualities.

How Is Soy Sauce Made?

Soy sauce is made using a process that takes time and care. It starts with soybeans and grains, usually wheat. These ingredients are mixed with water and salt.

The Fermentation Process

The key to making soy sauce is fermentation. This happens when special molds, like Aspergillus sojae (also called kōji), are added. These molds help to break down the soybeans and grains. This creates the rich flavors and aromas of soy sauce.

After the molds do their work, the mixture is left to ferment for several months. During this time, other tiny living things, like yeast and bacteria, also join in. They help to develop the complex taste of the sauce.

Different Types of Soy Sauce

There are many kinds of soy sauce, and they can taste quite different. Some are lighter and saltier, while others are darker and sweeter.

• Light Soy Sauce: This is the most common type. It is salty and used for general cooking and dipping.
• Dark Soy Sauce: This type is thicker, darker, and a little sweeter. It is often used to add color to dishes.
• Sweet Soy Sauce (Kecap Manis): Popular in Indonesia, this soy sauce is very thick and sweet. It is almost like a syrup.
• Japanese Soy Sauce (Shoyu): This type is often made with equal parts soybeans and wheat. It has a balanced flavor.
• Korean Soy Sauce (Ganjang): Traditional Korean soy sauce is often made only from soybeans. It has a strong, deep flavor.

Using Soy Sauce in Cooking

Soy sauce is very versatile. This means it can be used in many different ways in the kitchen.

• Dipping Sauce: Many people use soy sauce as a dipping sauce for foods like sushi, dumplings, or spring rolls.
• Marinades: It is great for marinating meats, poultry, or tofu. It adds a savory flavor and helps to tenderize the food.
• Stir-fries: Soy sauce is a key ingredient in many stir-fry dishes. It adds flavor and helps to create a delicious sauce.
• Soups and Stews: A little soy sauce can add depth and richness to soups, stews, and noodle dishes.
• Dressings: You can even use it in salad dressings or sauces for vegetables.

Images for kids

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  Shoyu ramen

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  Soy sauce is made from soybeans

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  Soy and wheat with Aspergillus sojae cultures to brew soy sauce

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  A bottle of commercially made light soy sauce

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  Toyomansi, a typical Filipino dipping sauce composed of soy sauce and calamansi spiced with siling labuyo

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  Left, ABC brand Kecap manis sweet Indonesian soy sauce is nearly as thick as molasses; right, Kecap asin

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  Japanese supermarket soy sauce corner

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  Traditional Korean soy sauce

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  Soft serve usually topped with Thai sweet soy sauce served at Yaowarat, Bangkok, Thailand

See also

In Spanish: Salsa de soya para niños