Does Indian food have MSG? Do you experience a dull buzzing feeling in your head and tingling sensation in the face after consuming certain dishes at an Indian restaurant? Do you worry that it may be caused due to Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)?
In recent years, MSG has been labeled as one of the main culprits behind adverse health effects.
As a result, many people become concerned about its presence in their favorite dishes from Indian restaurants.
Though there is no definitive answer to this question, there are certain facts and misconceptions about MSG that should be cleared up before discussing how it might appear in Indian food.
This article is here to help explain what MSG is, where it comes from, and whether or not it’s present in Indian dishes.
Does Indian Food Have MSG?
Despite the lasting common misconception that MSG is a primary ingredient in Indian food, not all dishes contain it.
There is no single answer to whether or not Indian food contains MSG as the use of this commonly questionable seasoning in Indian cuisine varies widely by region and type of dish.
So, what is the answer to this age-old question? Here’s exactly what you need to know about whether or not your favorite local Indian restaurant puts MSG in its dishes.
What Is Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)?
Monosodium glutamate, commonly referred to as MSG, is a type of food additive that has been said to have an umami flavor and can be used as a flavor enhancer for certain types of dishes.
Although there are conflicting opinions and research concerning the safety of consuming foods with added MSG, many popular restaurants still use it among their ingredients for an array of foods.
Does Indian Food Exclude MSG?
Indian dishes have a very distinct taste that doesn’t need enhancement like some other cuisines do with added seasonings such as MSG.
One major factoid that supports this theory is that many home cooks in India don’t even keep it among their kitchen supplies – let alone put it into their dishes.
But while many countries around the world choose not to keep any kind of ‘MSG’ stocked inside their cupboards due to health concerns and unknown origin ingredients, some regions across India do welcome it when making meals such as pickles and various marinates for meat-based meals like tandoori.
However authentic stock up on retail products containing MSG originating from European countries like Germany or Holland may seem, Indians normally favor primordial methods with natural spices when preparing mouthwatering curries over using convenience store curry paste with unpronounceable additives like ‘Xanthum Gum.’
Chinese seafood restaurants located inside mixed cities regularly endorse added flavoring agents into fried prawns and dried chilly squid but seldom would you detect anything resembling starchy Chinese salt sprinkles amidst any one vegetable-based North/South Indian platter menu item–and ones found anywhere else either!
The Bottom Line
So all-in-all if you’re wondering whether or not your neighborhood restaurant might be adding traces amounts of monosodium glutamate flavors into your dal makhani or chicken palak combo then unfortunately–it does happen, just rarely compared to other global cuisines out there who couldn’t even exist without finding different ways to disguise lab-made mixtures within the foods we eat day in and day out–but don’t worry! To stay safe, always double check menus ahead before visiting any eatery serving globally inspired dishes such as those cooked traditionally from specific parts across India so you can make informed decisions filled plate after plate.
Because proper nutrition should never leave your dinner table less satisfied than ever despite possibly knowing better which colors indicate fewer artificial seasonings versus relatively more them within each starchy scoop served up directly onto warm plates ready for noshing away on delicious meal times!
Conclusion
In conclusion, the answer to this question is twofold.
Traditional Indian meals may not have added MSG, but some of the more popular dishes such as Mughlai and desi-Chinese may contain MSG to enhance flavor.
All in all, if you want to avoid eating dishes with MSG, it’s important to do your research before ordering or preparing your meal!
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