The Secret to Delicious Cooking: The Importance of Seasoning Order
Why the Same Recipe Tastes Different Based on Seasoning Order!
Have you ever followed a recipe and felt like the taste was just a little bit off? The secret lies in the ‘order you add your seasonings’! Instead of just tossing ingredients in randomly, we’ll reveal the detailed know-how for layering seasonings to deepen flavor. Knowing a few basic principles will help you create more delicious dishes every time. Discover this special tip for our Made Myunggae readers right now!
Basic Seasoning Ingredients
- Sugar
- Soy sauce
- Salt
- Vinegar
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- Doenjang (Korean soybean paste)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Many of you might pause while following a recipe, wondering, ‘Why should this seasoning go in now?’ While the exact order can vary slightly by dish, understanding a few fundamental principles will help you master the art of making any dish even more delicious. Today, we’re unveiling that secret!
Step 2
To better understand how seasonings impact flavor, let’s briefly touch upon the scientific principle of molecular size. Generally, when smaller molecules are added first, it becomes harder for larger molecules added later to penetrate the ingredients. Therefore, it’s crucial to add ingredients with larger molecules first.
Step 3
There’s a simple formula that covers it all: ‘Sugar-Salt-Vinegar-Paste’. Just remember this order for adding sugar, salt, vinegar, and pastes. Following this sequence will significantly enhance the flavor profile of your cooking.
Step 4
Add ‘sugar’ first. Sugar molecules are about six times larger than salt molecules. It’s best to add them first to allow them to dissolve thoroughly and flavor the ingredients.
Step 5
Next, it’s time to add ‘salt’. While salt molecules are smaller than sugar, adding them relatively early, compared to other seasonings, is effective for allowing the flavors to penetrate well.
Step 6
Third, add ‘vinegar’! Vinegar’s most notable characteristic is its acidity. Vinegar is sensitive to heat, and its acidity can dissipate when cooked. Therefore, if you want to retain the bright, tangy flavor of your dish, it’s best to add vinegar towards the very end of the cooking process.
Step 7
Finally, it’s time for the ‘pastes’. Among the pastes, it’s generally recommended to add ‘soy sauce’ first, followed by ‘gochujang’, and then ‘doenjang’. This order helps to balance the overall flavor.
Step 8
As an additional tip, add ‘cooking wine’ (mirin or sake) after the sugar, between the salt and vinegar. Ingredients like ‘MSG’ or ‘sesame oil’, which add aroma and umami, should be added at the very end of cooking to preserve their distinct flavors.
