HOISIN SAUCE

Mandarin: HAIXIAN JIANG; Cantonese: HOY SIN JIONG; Vietnamese: TUONG-DEN

Another Cantonese specialty, hoisin is also known as barbecue sauce. Its Chinese name literally means " sea-flavor", which is a reflection on just how delicious it is, rather than an indication of its ingredients. Hoisin sauce does not contain so much as a trace of seafood, unlike oyster sauce and fish sauce.

Aroma and flavor
The main components of this very popular sauce are fermented beans, sugar, vinegar, salt, chili, garlic and sesame oil, but there is no standard formula, so the aroma and flavor of different brands can vary considerably. A good quality product should have a fragrant aroma with a rich, warm, sweet yet salty flavor.

Culinary uses
Hoisin sauce is  quite versatile and makes a valuable contribution to the kitchen. Mainly intended as a marinade, it can be used at the table as a dipping sauce, but should not accompany Peking duck as the practice in some restaurants.

Cooking techniques
When used as a marinade, hoisin can be spooned straight from the jar over spare ribs, chicken or similar foods.

Storage
Hoisin sauce usually comes in glass jars or cans. Once opened, jars should be stored in the fridge, where the sauce will keep for several months. Canned hoisin should be decanted into non-metallic containers before being stored in the fridge.