- Tương
"Tương" is the name applied to a variety of condiments made from fermented
soybean s, and commonly used in Vietnamese cuisine.Most commonly, the term "tương" refers to a
salt y paste made from fermented soybeans, which is popular in vegetarian meals, particularly those prepared and eaten by Vietnamese Buddhist monks. It is also the most typical dipping sauce forsummer roll s ("gỏi cuốn"). The paste, which is generally dark brown in color, is produced by adding the fungus "Aspergillus oryzae " to roasted soybeans, which are then allowed to naturally ferment in a jar with water until it develops anumami flavor. Other ingredients, such asglutinous rice ormaize powder, salt, or water, may also be used. "Tương" is similar to the Chineseyellow soybean paste , though the latter is generally saltier and thicker in texture."Tương" may range in consistency from a thick paste to a thin liquid. Some varieties, such as that prepared in Central Vietnam, are watery, with solids at the bottom of the container in which it is stored. A more condensed variety, called "tương Bần" or "tương làng Bần", [http://ductin.com.vn/UpLoads_ThongTin/IMGThongTin/06122914372.jpgphoto 1] [http://www.nguoivienxu.vietnamnet.vn/dataimages/200611/original/images1146975_2.jpgphoto 2] is produced in the town of Bần Yên Nhân, in the Mỹ Hào district of Hưng Yên Province, in the
Red River Delta of northern Vietnam, and takes its name from the name of the town. Other varieties of "tương" are similarly named for the towns or districts in which they are made, such as "tương Phố Hiến" (made in a township of Hưng Yên Province), "tương Nam Đàn" (made in a district of the Nghệ An Province), and "tương Cự Đà" (made in a town in the Hà Tây Province).In southern Vietnam, "nước tương" refers to
soy sauce ."Tương" is commercially available in glass and plastic jars and bottles throughout Vietnam, as well as in Vietnamese grocery stores overseas.
The word "tương" can also be used to refer to other paste-like foods, such as "tương cà" (
tomato sauce ).Etymology
The word "tương" derives from the Chinese word "jiàng" (
Hán tự : ), meaning "paste."External links
* [http://www.hungyen.gov.vn/index.asp?newsID=717&language=english Article about "tương Bần"]
* [http://www.flickr.com/photos/lqdung86/1069950209/ Photo of containers of "tương Bần", taken in the town of Bần Yên Nhân]ee also
*
Fermented bean paste
*Cuisine of Vietnam
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