雜貨舖THE GROCER

Dark soy sauce

老抽

The dark, caramel-coloured soy, brewed longer and thicker than light soy and less salty; it is there for colour more than for seasoning. Soy sauce chicken, braised brisket and the sauce poured over claypot rice get their red-brown depth from it. Too much and a dish turns black and bitter.

Cautions: read first

Contains wheat and soy, both mandatory-declaration allergens in Australia.
High in sodium; watch it if your blood pressure is up or you are cutting salt.

Preparation

A teaspoon is enough to colour a braise.

Origin

Guangdong (the Pearl River Delta soy works). In the Coles and Woolworths Asian aisle, Lee Kum Kee 250mL for example; Asian grocers carry larger bottles.