Soy sauce is one of the most delicious condiments that you can find in any restaurant. You can add it to any number of dishes: sushi, noodles, or even your favorite stir-fry.
However, you might be wondering that if you leave it out for too long, it will spoil and become a sticky mess. However, soy sauce can actually be stored at room temperature for quite a period of time.
This is because this sauce comes with salt that will act as a natural preservative. This is why you won’t really need to store it in the fridge. But what about the taste? Will it still have its original flavor? Yes! It will retain its flavor, but not necessarily it’s color.
How long can you store it? Where is the best place in your kitchen where you can store this sauce? Well, keep reading and we’ll give you the skinny on soy sauce.
What Is Soy Sauce?
Soy sauce is a salty seasoning made from fermented soya beans. The fermentation process helps to develop the umami (savory) taste. It’s also known as shoyu in Japanese and tamari in Chinese.
The word “soy” means “bean” in Japanese. In China, they call it “natto”, which literally translates to “rotten bean”. The main ingredients are water, soya beans, wheat flour, yeast, rice bran, salt, sugar, koji mold, and sometimes caramel coloring.
What Dishes Go Well With Soy Sauce?
You can use soy sauce in many different ways. One way is by adding it to your favorite noodle dish. For example, when making ramen, you can add some soy sauce to the broth instead of using miso paste.
Another way is by adding it to your favorite salad dressing. You can also add soy sauce to marinades, dips, and sauces.
How To Store Soy Sauce?
There are two types of soy sauce: light and dark. Light soy sauce has less sodium than dark soy sauce. Dark soy sauce is flavorful and thicker.
Light soy sauce should be refrigerated after opening. If you’re planning to consume it within 2 weeks, then you don’t need to worry about storing it in the refrigerator. However, if you plan to consume it later, then you should put it in the refrigerator.
Dark soy sauce can last longer without refrigeration. But you still need to make sure that you store it properly. Here are the steps you need to follow:
1. Don’t let it get warm.
2. Keep it away from direct sunlight.
3. Make sure that there is no moisture inside the bottle.
4. Remove all the labels before storing it.
5. Put it in an airtight container.
6. Shake well before consuming.
7. Refrigerate once opened.
8. Discard if it smells sour.
9. Use within 6 months.
10. Do not microwave it.
Soy sauce does not need to be refrigerated at all. In fact, it will be more than happy living in your cupboard at room temperature, and can often be stored in a sealed container without going off at all.
What Makes Soy Sauce Spoil?
If you want to know how long you can store soy sauce, then you must first understand how it spoils. When you open a jar of soy sauce, it usually contains a lot of liquid. When you pour it onto your food, the liquid will evaporate quickly. This causes the soy sauce to lose its flavor.
However, the salt content remains intact. So, even though the liquid level drops, you will still be able to enjoy the savoriness of the soy sauce. This is why you can store soy sauce for up to 12 months.
Where Can I Buy Soy Sauce?
You may find soy sauce in most supermarkets or Asian grocery stores. There are also specialty shops where you can buy soy sauce with specific flavors.
Some people prefer buying their own soy sauce because they like the aroma and taste better. They also feel that the quality is superior.
Buying soy sauce online is another option. Many websites sell soy sauce in bulk. These sites offer discounts on large orders.
Do You Need Salt When Cooking With Soy Sauce?
No. You do not need to add salt to your cooking when using soy sauce. It’s already salty enough.
Why Is Soy Sauce Important On A Diet?
Soy sauce is rich in protein, zinc, iron, calcium, vitamin B12, and fiber. It’s also low in calories.
It helps prevent cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and other diseases.
It improves digestion and absorption of nutrients.
What Alternatives Can I Have For Soy Sauce?
You can use tamari instead of soy sauce. Tamari is made from wheat gluten rather than soybeans.
You can also try Bragg Liquid Aminos which is similar to soy sauce but has fewer calories.
How Long Does Soy Sauce Last?
The shelf life of soy sauce depends on the brand. Some brands have a shelf life of six months while others can go as far as two years.
What Condiments Should I Store In The Fridge?
There are many things that you can keep in the fridge. Condiments such as ketchup, mustard, relish, barbecue sauce, salad dressing, etc., should always be stored in the refrigerator.
Condiments such as jams, honey, jelly, preserves, pickles, etc., can either be stored in the fridge or in your cupboards.
Can I Freeze My Own Soy Sauce?
No, it is not possible to freeze soy sauce because of its high salt content. You should always store it in the fridge, where you can be sure that it will preserve its lifespan.
Homemade Soy Sauce Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1200g dry soybeans
- 1200g wheat berries
- 7.5g aspergillus oryzae
For the Brine
- 825 g sea salt
- 3.8 liters water
Method: - Soak the beans overnight in plenty of cold water. Drain them well. Put them into a pot with 2 cups of fresh water. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low.
- Add 1/4 cup of brine to the beans and bring it back to a boil. Cover the pot and simmer for about 30 minutes. Remove the lid and continue to cook until all the water is absorbed. Let the beans cool completely before grinding them.
Add 3 tablespoons of aspergillus oryzae to the ground beans. Mix well. Transfer the mixture to a glass container. Keep the soybean paste in the fridge for up to 6 months.
Add 3 tablespoons of aspergillus oryzae to the ground beans and mix well. Transfer the mixture to a glass container. Keep the soybean paste in the fridge for up to 6 months.
Is Soy Sauce Vegetarian?
Soy sauce is vegetarian since it does not contain animal products.
How Long Does It Take To Make Soy Sauce?
The process of making soy sauce takes anywhere from one day to three weeks depending on how much time you want to spend on this project.
If you are looking for an easy way to make soy sauce, then you might consider buying ready-made soy sauce. This is also known as “light” soy sauce.
How Much Salt Is In Soy Sauce?
100 grams of soy sauce contains approximately 5,000 milligrams of salt.
What Are The Different Types Of Soy Sauce?
There are different types of soy sauces available in the market. Here are some of the most common ones:
• Light soy sauce (or vegetarian soy sauce) – Contains less than 4% salt.
• Dark soy sauce – Contains more than 4% salt. Usually used for cooking purposes.
• Tamari soy sauce – Made by fermenting soybeans without using wheat.
• Kikkoman soy sauce – A Japanese brand of soy sauce made from fermented soybeans.
• Chinese black bean sauce – Has a strong flavor and aroma.
How Do I Use Soy Sauce?
You can use soy sauce to add flavor to your food. You can also use it as a dipping sauce. Some people even like to drink soy sauce straight!
Can I Add Sugar Or Honey To My Soy Sauce?
Yes, you can add sugar or honey to your soy sauce. However, if you do so, be sure that you have reduced the amount of salt in your soy sauce first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Light soy sauce has a lower sodium content compared to dark soy sauce.
A: Depending on the type of soy sauce you choose, you can keep it in the refrigerator for up to six months.
Yes, but only for short periods of time. Otherwise, the soy sauce will lose its taste and smell.
Yes. Soy sauce is rich in protein and essential amino acids.
A: Making soy sauce yourself requires a lot of time and effort. Buying pre-made soy sauce saves you the hassle of having to worry about the quality of the product.
Conclusion
You will not have any issues with leaving your soy sauce out of the fridge, however, like any other condiment, it will spoil if you leave it unattended for too long. If you want to extend its life, then you can keep it in the fridge.
