Cooking wine is one of the essential ingredients of Chinese cuisine. Different cooking wine types are valued for their ability to enrich the taste and aroma of dishes. Its property of improving flavor and neutralizing undesirable odors makes it an essential part of different kitchens all across the world.
Meat Tenderization
Different cooking wine types are also used to tenderize tougher cuts of meat. When added during the blanching process, it helps soften the protein fibers while infusing the meat with subtle flavors. This step is particularly important in preparing braised dishes, stews, and soups, where tenderness and depth of flavor are key.
How Cooking Wine Removes Fishy Smells
Cooking wine effectively removes the fishy smells of seafood and meats by breaking down compounds like trimethylamine, responsible for unpleasant odors.
Cooking wine contains alcohol, which binds to odor-causing compounds like amines and neutralizes them during heating. Additionally, the spices and herbs often present in cooking wine enhance its odor-masking abilities, replacing unpleasant smells with pleasant aromas.
How to Choose Good Cooking Wine
A good cooking wine not only enhances the flavor but also ensures the dish retains its natural qualities. The biggest feature of cooking wine is that it contains aromatic substances such as alcohol. Here’s how to identify good cooking wine.
1. Ingredients
The ingredient list of a high-quality cooking wine should include naturally fermented wines like huangjiu (yellow wine) or rice wine. Avoid cooking wines with excessive artificial additives, as they may compromise the taste and quality of your dish.
2. Other Testing Techniques
Smell: A good cooking wine should have a clean, pleasant aroma without any harsh or overly acidic notes.
Taste: Tasting a small amount can reveal its balance of flavors. It should be smooth, with a clear wine essence.
Texture Test: Pour a small amount on your hand and let it dry. A high-quality cooking wine will leave a smooth, non-sticky finish, indicating proper fermentation and minimal artificial components.
Qianhe Cooking Wine Types
Qianhe offers a diverse range of cooking wines according to different cooking needs. These cooking wine types include:
Qianhe Huadiao Cooking Wine
Ingredients: Huadiao wine (water, glutinous rice, wheat) ≥80%, water, edible salt, spices
Alcohol Content: 12% vol
Characteristics: The characteristic of Huadiao cooking wine is that it contains Huadiao wine. The taste is mellow, and the longer it is aged, the mellower the taste. This premium cooking wine has a rich aroma and slightly sweet undertones, making it perfect for dishes requiring depth and elegance, such as braised meats or seafood.
Qianhe Onion and Ginger Cooking Wine
Ingredients: Water, rice, onion, ginger, edible salt
Alcohol Content: 10% vol
Characteristics: Scallion and ginger cooking wine emits the fragrance of scallion and ginger, making it suitable for quick stir-frying and steaming. It’s particularly effective for seafood recipes, where it amplifies the natural flavors while neutralizing odors.
Qianhe Cooking Wine (6 Years)
Ingredients: Water, edible alcohol, rice wine, edible salt, sodium glutamate, spices, caramel color
Alcohol Content: 10% vol
Characteristics: Aged for six years, this cooking wine combines edible alcohol, rice wine, spices, and caramel color for a balanced flavor profile. Its subtle sweetness and complex aroma make it suitable for stir-fries, soups, and stews.
In addition to these cooking wine types, Qianhe offers a wide range of cooking products for diverse cooking needs. These include different types of soy sauce, seasoning, condiments, and caramel colors. If you want to know more about related product introductions, you can click to view our product introduction.
