Fish sauce is an integral part of Vietnam’s beautiful and proud culinary culture. It can be found in almost every kitchen in the country. But do you know how to distinguish pure fish sauce from diluted fish sauce? Join us as we explore some tips to help you choose the tastiest and highest quality fish sauce!
1 Nitrogen Level
Nitrogen level informs consumers about the quality of the fish sauce
The nitrogen level on the label indicates the quality of the fish sauce. This can help you identify high-quality fish sauce. However, higher nitrogen levels do not always mean better taste and quality; instead, it depends on the natural nitrogen content.
You can refer to the Vietnamese Standard for Fish Sauce (TCVN 5107:2003) below:
- Nitrogen Level >30N0: Special grade.
- Nitrogen Level >25N0: Premium grade.
- Nitrogen Level >15N0: Grade 1.
- Nitrogen Level >10N0: Grade 2.
Traditional fish sauce typically has a nitrogen level between 30-40 degrees. If you come across a product labeled as 50-60 degrees nitrogen, it is likely industrially produced diluted fish sauce.
If the fish sauce bottle does not have a label, be cautious as it could be counterfeit, of unknown origin, or from a low-quality facility.
However, the information on the label may also be false, so in addition to the nitrogen level, consider the following two methods as well!
2 Color
Color is a key factor in distinguishing pure and diluted fish sauce
Color is the easiest way to tell the difference between pure and diluted fish sauce. For the best results, observe the sauce in a well-lit environment.
Additionally, high-quality fish sauce typically has a brownish-yellow, reddish-brown, or dark brown color. If the sauce is greenish-gray, it has likely deteriorated and should not be consumed.
3 Taste and Smell
Taste and smell will give you the clearest indication of the quality of the fish sauce
Finally, and most importantly, consider the taste and smell of the fish sauce. This will not only reflect the quality but also give you the best indication of whether the sauce is tasty or not.
High-quality fish sauce will first impart a gentle, subtle aroma. When tasting, it should have a balanced sweet and salty flavor. Additionally, fish sauce with higher nitrogen levels will have a more pronounced sweetness that lingers in the throat when swallowed.
On the other hand, if it tastes overly salty and unpleasant on the tongue, it likely has a low nitrogen level or contains low-quality additives.
Master Chef Vo Quoc, founder of the magazine “Vietnamese Delicious Dishes” and head chef for many government banquets, also shared: “Traditional delicious fish sauce usually has a strong smell and is harder to wash off your hands.”
4 Rice Grain Test
The rice grain test is another method to distinguish pure and diluted fish sauce
In addition to the above methods, you can also use the following rice grain test to determine if your fish sauce is pure or diluted:
5 Other Considerations for Choosing Delicious Fish Sauce
Knowing how to choose delicious fish sauce makes you a smart consumer
Reputable manufacturers will always provide detailed information on the packaging of their fish sauce bottles. You can refer to the following chemical indicators of fish sauce to make an informed choice:
- Total nitrogen content in g/l (in the order of 30-25-15-10).
- Aminic nitrogen content, expressed as a % of total nitrogen, should not be less than 55-50-40-35.
- Ammoniacal nitrogen content, expressed as a % of total nitrogen, should not exceed 20-25-30-35.
- Salt content from 145-295g/l.
While nitrogen levels can indicate the quality of fish sauce, sometimes low-quality fish sauce will not display the nitrogen level or will print it in very small, hard-to-read text on the packaging. Therefore, pay close attention to the details on the label before purchasing.
Avoid buying fish sauce from unknown brands without proper labels and unclear origins. While the price may be much lower than high-quality fish sauce, there are potential health risks associated with consuming such products.
Fish sauce is simple yet addictive.
We hope that this article has provided you with valuable knowledge to choose delicious and safe fish sauce for you and your family.
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