Introduction
It has become fashionable to adopt healthy practices in eating of late. Consumers are beginning to understand where their food is coming from and its effect on them physically, as well as the world and its people. This consciousness carries through not only whole foods but even individual ingredients, different spices, vegetables and supplements from all over the world. Since a significant number of people enjoy preparing food and experimenting with different types of culinary creations, acquiring proper and premium produce may be a valuable option for them.
China has had a culinary history of over five thousand years of cultural development. It is well known for its vast array of vegetables, herbage and spices that are mostly used n Chinese cuisine. But due to globalization and giant commercial farming, questions are arising regarding sustainability and fair working conditions. Today, that means becoming more diligent in sourcing good quality products that report their provenance and sourcing of Chinese ingredients in particular.
Soy Sauce
Soy sauce can be regarded as the most important ingredient in Chinese cooking. It is produced from fermented soybeans and brings in a savory taste, plus a good smell to meals when used. It is the soy sauce that really counts, so using good quality soy sauce is imperative. When selecting soy sauce it is advisable to use the naturally brewed and naturally aged soy sauce products for at least 6 months. A longer fermentation period enables the necessary complexity to be reached.
I am glad that presently there are different Chinese soy sauce manufacturers that brew it traditionally for not less than 6 months in a pearl clay pot such as Pearl River Bridge. The soy sauce they have is made from soybeans, wheat flour, water and salt which makes this product very natural. Pearl River Bridge is available in most grocery stores and in addition it can be purchased online.
Tamari is gluten-free and is also a perfect replacement for soy sauce. San-J is a known brand that produces organic tamari through the conventional Japanese process. Tamari is their wheat-free soy sauce and is just as tasty as the Chinese versions so suitable for oriental dishes.
Sesame Oil
Chinese, especial use sesame oil often in stir fries as well a sauces. It has a very strong, almost musty smell that lends wonderful aroma to foods prepared with it. Sesame oil is suitable for high heat cooking or low heat as a final step in the seasoning process. If you are to purchase sesame oil then choose the toasted or what some may refer to as ‘dark’ sesame oil.
I prefer Kadoya sesame oils and Ottogi sesame oil because they are of outstanding quality, produced from organic sesame seeds only. My particular favorite is how they have beautiful rich flavors which can be used for Chinese home cooking. The sesame oil brands described here can be bought at the shops selling ethnic foods or through the internet.
Chinese Black Vinegar
Chinese black vinegar from Chinkiang is the most popular vinegar in the Chinese cuisine. It brings in this extra nice smoke sweet and sour taste to it. This vinegar is usually made from rice, wheat and millet culled naturally using sun and no chemicals. Delicious black vinegars are fermented between twelve months and three years in clay jars in order to have assertive profiles.
Gold Plum Chinkiang Vinegar is thought to be one of the best original black vinegar in the world. It is made from China where it has been developed as a tradition handed down from one generation to another. This Gold Plum vinegar has a pH balanced taste that is perfect for stir fry, braise dishes or even as a sauce.
Rice Wine
A rice cooking wine, dubbed ‘miào liao jiǔ’ in Chinese, is particularly popular in Chinese marinades and braises. This rice wine is sweet contribution on the aroma and a perfect ading to tenderize meat. Common most Chinese rice wines purchased in supermarkets today are drenched in preservatives and salt to change taste.
Changzhou Sháoxìng is an eastern Chinese town famous for its rice wine production Its rice wines are all natural with no additives made using historical techniques. The Shao Hsing Huadiao brand is a good Chinese rice wine which is in the middle of the range and can be used in the preparation of food. This one leaves no aftertaste of, or very little, saltiness. This cooking wine can be bought at most Asian stores or ordered online.
Five Spice Powder
Five spice powder is unique powder prepared with Sichuan, cinnamon, fennel seeds, star anise, and cloves. This spice mix not only enhances the warmth and complexity of many Chinese dishes but has a well-proven synergy when used in roasts and braises. If you get five spice powder always ensure that you go for the real spices rather than getting an ordinary powder mixture with flavors and anticaking agents.
The award winning The Spice House offers and hand blended five spice using freshly ground top quality spices. Among them Penzeys five spice powder with the happy combination of Vietnamese cinnamon and Chinese cloves is also great containing only living taste. These two specialty spice brands buy their five ingredients and grind them all on their own.
Sichuan Peppercorns
Sichuan peppercorns are unique to Sichuan regional cooking and also make up the basic Chinese five-spice powder. They have a very strong aroma and are citrus and floral and leave an invigorating strong sensation also known as má là in Chinese food. Sichuan peppercorns are one of the essential ingredients of true Chinese cuisine if the highest quality of this spice is used.
Chengdu Mr Li’s Sichuan peppercorns are perhaps one of the purest and potent of má là flavor. The organic peppercorns are provided through conventional way from farms of Sichuan province. The finest brand for sustainably sourced Sichuan pepper is the Tea Horse Road Harvest sourcing from several smallholder farmers in Asia. These two specialty Sichuan pepper brands make Western Chinese cooking recipes authentic and spicy.
Oyster Sauce
Chinese favorites, oyster sauce has an immensely delicious and rich umami taste. When used in stir fries or marinades, oyster sauce is a master of introducing a beautiful savory sweetness along with binding properties. Originally, the preparation of oyster sauce involved the use of oyster extracts; nonetheless, many producers stir in artificial seasonings and other thickeners to make up for what is missing. In case of buying, one should prefer real oyster sauce rather than containing chemical flavors to imitate the flavor of oyster.
Wing Yip is a Chinese grocery manufacturer business that delivers real oyster sauces that are brewed using real whole oysters. Readers will applaud their sauce as tasting perfectly balanced sweet and savory – all the flavor from no msg and no preservatives! Another naturally brewed premium culinary sauce for Chinese home cooking is Lee Kum Kee’s Panda Brand oyster sauce.
Shaoxing Wine for Cooking
Shaoxing rice wine is a variety of huangjiu, or Chinese rice wine, which is among the preferred cooking wines when cooking Chinese cuisine. It is from Shaoxing, a city in eastern Zhejiang province of China, a place that started wine production over 2,500 centuries ago. Thanks to this wine variety, the Chinese preparations ooze amazing flavours, aromas and sharpness. Real Shaoxing wine does not have additional flavorings or preservatives and relies on rather complex fermentation processes which will be discussed below to let through the rice savour. Superfine Shaoxing wine could be served neat it is also aged and utilized to season almost every cooked dish, from stir-frying to stewing.
One of the superb brands is the Kuaijishan Shaoxing Cooking Wine prepared from Zhejiang water and glutinous rice. It takes over one year’s mature aging in clay urns where it acquires rich multiple tastes severally. Other beers of interest brewed traditionally are the Jimo Old Cellar and Guyuelongshan Shaoxing wine which has won many Chinese wine awards. They are available from internationally acclaimed Asian groceries stores worldwide. One of those traditional Shaoxing wines will enhance any home Chinese meal most significantly.
Sesame Paste
This Chinese sauces often associated as tahini, is manufactured from ground sesame seeds that have been roasted, and have a very rich, fragrant peanut-like taste that is quite sesquipedalian. This recipe is mainly used in adding flavor to sauces and things like the sauce for dumplings. Classical sesame paste was prepared by grinding it in stone quern but many of today’s producers dilute it with oil and add sugar and sweeteners. When purchasing look for pure sesame paste without a syrup taste which is often a result of adding other stuff.
Lee Kum Kee has a superior quality organic sesame paste made from Australian sesame seeds. It has a very indulgent, nutty flavor which makes it perfect for building techniques for Chinese food in the home. The Earth Nutri brand also manufactures Chinese sesame paste very fine from Italian sesame seeds through stone ground processing. Each of these pastes is ideal for homemade Chinese recipes and both products of artisanal quality.
Conclusion
Knowledge of a cuisine is not limited to recipes but it includes gilt foods prepared with premium ingredients. Chinese Cooking is based on using reoccurring fermented ingredients while aromatics and spices are much more ambiguous when it comes to ‘ethical meats’. But today brands identify that customer demands are for more sustainable and hand made goods. When we embrace these fantastic producers, the status quo evoking honesty and quality becomes standard. Here are some tips for finding respectable Asian groceries the assist with cooking real Chinese food that are also ethical. In the last instance, knowledge and accessibility allow more people to make thoughtful food choices while keeping all the flavours and originality in check.