Kikkoman Soy Sauce is world-renowned for its fabulous taste, but do you know why it is so mouthwatering? And how does it appeal to your other four senses? Turn yourself into a soy connoisseur with our guide to recognising premium quality Soy sauce.
Sensational Quality
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the difference

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the difference

Smell
the difference

Hear
the difference

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the difference


Japanese excellence
We all know there's a lot of soy sauces out there (although there's only one Kikkoman!) but the big difference in soy sauces – and the one celebrity chefs and food writers are always at pains to point out – is between Chinese and Japanese-style sauces.
Chinese soy sauces are available in both light and dark versions. Some are chemically produced and others are only partially brewed. However, any brewing is usually only for a matter of weeks without yeast, unlike Japanese soy sauces, which are brewed with specially cultured yeast for many months. Caramel colouring (E150) is often added to Chinese soy to create its trademark powerful, dark appearance.
Many also contain added sugar, monosodium glutamate and preservatives, which may give an artificial taste.
Japanese soy sauce, sometimes referred to as 'shoyu' generally has a lower salt content and includes roasted wheat in the recipe. This not only improves the flavour and aroma, but also the colour of the sauce. Our advice is to always look at the label before buying. The fewer ingredients, the better!
Officially special
Just a taste or a smell of Kikkoman soy sauce will tell you that it’s something truly special. The fact that it is enjoyed in more than 100 countries and used in a wide variety of cuisines, only serves to reinforce this idea.
But what about official Japanese quality standards? How does Kikkoman Soy sauce compare? Soy sauces are graded by the level of total nitrogen / protein under the Japanese Agricultural Standard (JAS). The grade of soy sauce indicates the level of umami it delivers.
Grade Total | Nitrogen | Protein |
Special Grade | >1.50 | >9.38 |
High Grade | >1.35 | >8.44 |
Standard Grade | >1.20 | >7.50 |
The facts speak for themselves. With 10g of protein per 100ml, Kikkoman Soy Sauce is officially categorized as a ‘Special Grade’ soy sauce.