What is msg in chinese foods?
What is MSG? : MSG is the salt version of glutamic acid. Glutamatic acid is one of a chain of 20 amino acids that make up a protein molecule. It is a non-essential amino acid, which means that the body produces what is needed and we don’t need to make it up in our diet. The brain uses glutamic acid as a neurotransmitter. Glutamate is glutamic acid that has been broken down by fermentation, cooking or other methods. Monosodium glutamate is made by mixing glutamate with salt and water. Why is MSG So Popular?: It all comes down to our taste buds. It has long been known that there are four basic tastes – sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. It is now thought that there is a fifth taste, called “umami.” Umami is the savory taste that occurs naturally in foods such as tomatoes and ripe cheese. Just as eating chocolate stimulates the sweet taste receptors on our tongue, eating food seasoned with MSG stimulates the glutamate or “umami” receptors on our tongue, enhancing the savory flavor of these f
