Tag: Doubanjiang

According to a study in China, consuming spicy food regularly might contribute to increased longevity. But when it comes to specific products like chili crisp or doubanjiang, is Chinese hot sauce healthy? The answer depends heavily on the type of sauce, its ingredients, and how much you consume.

The name "mala" literally means "numbing and spicy" in Chinese, a perfect descriptor for this addictive flavor profile central to Sichuan cuisine. This iconic taste is created from a complex blend of key spices and aromatics that deliver its signature tingly heat, a sensation unlike any other in the culinary world.

Bean sauce is not one single product but a broad category of fermented pastes used across Asian cuisines, primarily made from legumes like soybeans. While the core ingredients often include fermented beans, salt, and water, regional variations introduce different elements that create distinct flavors, aromas, and applications.