Fish sauce is an essential seasoning in Thai kitchens, as it plays a significant role in enhancing the flavor and rounding out dishes. Whether it’s in Tom Yum Goong, Pad Thai, or various types of chili dips, fish sauce is a key ingredient that elevates the taste of our food. But many people may wonder how to differentiate between the fish sauces available in the market and how much the flavor of food varies with regular fish sauce versus authentic fish sauce. If you’re in the process of choosing this seasoning, let’s explore this together!
The Difference Between Regular Fish Sauce and Authentic Fish Sauce
Fish sauce can be classified into different types based on the ingredients and production process. However, it can generally be divided into two main categories:
- Authentic Fish Sauce: Made through a natural fermentation process of various types of sea fish with sea salt. This method takes a long time to complete, resulting in a rich, strong flavor with a distinct sea fish aroma. The taste is complex, with a balance of saltiness, sweetness, and a unique fragrance.
- Regular Fish Sauce: It may be produced from sea fish or other ingredients besides fish and salt, such as fish waste and additives, to reduce production costs. Various additives are mixed in to produce larger quantities at a lower price, which results in a flavor that may not be as rich as authentic fish sauce and a smell that is different from the natural fishy aroma.
Comparison: Types of Fish Sauce
| Type | Production Process | Flavor | Aroma |
| Regular Fish Sauce | Made from other ingredients besides fish and salt, such as fish waste and additives to reduce production costs. | The flavor is lighter, which might not provide the desired intensity for the dish. | The aroma is not as fragrant as authentic fish sauce, making the food less aromatic. |
| Authentic Fish Sauce | Made from sea fish and natural sea salt, leading to a rich flavor and high quality. | The flavor is intense, giving the dish a more balanced, complex, and nuanced taste. | It has a fragrant, pleasant aroma that significantly enhances the dish’s taste. |
Choosing the right fish sauce can make a big difference in the flavor of your food. Since each type of fish sauce has its own unique characteristics, Squid Brand Fish Sauce is one that many Thai people trust for its taste and quality. With its meticulous production process and selection of the finest ingredients, Squid Brand Fish Sauce delivers a balanced, delicious flavor. The reasons why Squid Brand is so popular among consumers include:
- Fresh, high-quality fish: Only carefully selected fresh anchovies are used.
- Special fermentation process: Squid Brand uses a unique fermentation method that produces a rich, flavorful fish sauce with a variety of recipes.
- High production standards: All production steps meet international standards to ensure high quality and safety.
- Unique taste: It has a distinct, aromatic sea fish scent and a balanced salty flavor that isn’t overly salty.
- Variety of recipes: There are various options to choose from based on different dishes.