Does Soy Sauce Have Alcohol? Frequently Asked Questions Answered

Soy sauce is a main condiment in many cuisines worldwide, known for its rich, salty umami flavour. Soy sauce, as an Asian condiment and ingredient, comes in a variety of varieties ranging from light to dark, regular to gluten-free, and low-salt. However, one question that often arises is, does soy sauce have alcohol? This question confuses pregnant women and Muslims. Let's dive into the topic and explore the presence of alcohol in soy sauce, along with some considerations for those concerned about its alcohol content.

The Primary Ingredients and the Production Process of Soy Sauce

Soy sauce is essential to Chinese and Asian cuisine. For regular soy sauce from Jolion Foods, the main ingredients of soy sauce typically include water, soybeans, wheat flour, salt, and sugar. While gluten-free soy sauce contains water, soybeans, salt, and sugar, it does not contain wheat. For mushroom soy sauce, the main ingredients are soybean, water, salt, wheat flour, sugar, and mushrooms. These ingredients are essential for fermentation, giving soy sauce a distinctive taste. 

For more details about types of soy sauce, please read Investigating Soy Sauce Varieties: An In-Depth Manual on Types and Applications. 

Does soy sauce have alcohol? To understand this question, let's first look at its production process.

• The soybeans and wheat are combined and fermented during soy sauce production. This fermentation can occur naturally or with the help of specific microorganisms, such as Aspergillus oryzae, which break down the proteins and carbohydrates in soybeans and wheat.

• It's important to note that soy sauce is a fermented liquid, and fermentation converts sugars into various byproducts, including alcohol. Therefore, during soy sauce fermentation, alcoholic fermentation can occur, producing a small amount of alcohol.

• Then, press the fermented mixture to get the liquid. Then pasteurized to kill bacteria. In this step, pasteurization evaporates most of the alcohol.

• Last, soy sauce factories filter and bottle soy sauce for sale.

The Portion of Alcohol in Soy Sauce

Then comes the second question: How much alcohol does soy sauce have?  In most soy sauce brands, the alcohol content is relatively low, typically 1% to 3%. This means that the alcohol content is significantly lower compared to alcoholic beverages. Moreover, during cooking, especially when soy sauce is heated, most of the alcohol evaporates. So, how much alcohol does soy sauce still have in dishes? Minimal, meaning this quantity of alcohol retained is so minute that it is unlikely to pose a problem for most people, especially pregnant women.

Numerous Islamic scholars and Halal certification bodies have stated that soy sauce is permissible (Halal) since the alcohol produced during the fermentation process is not intoxicating. If you are looking for halal soy sauce with Halal certification, choose Jolion Foods!

Read Also: Is Soy Sauce Halal or Not

Wrapping up

Soy sauce does contain a small amount of alcohol due to the fermentation process used in its production. However, the alcohol content in soy sauce is typically low, ranging from 1% to 3%. Most of the alcohol evaporates during cooking, leaving only a minimal residual amount unlikely to impact the body significantly.

If you're a restaurant, retailer, or food manufacturer looking for reliable soy sauce products and condiments suppliers, consider Jolion Foods, which offers wholesale and OEM services. Jolion Foods has become a trusted and leading name in the production of Oriental Soy Sauce and Chinese foods. With our state-of-the-art production facilities and commitment to quality, Jolion Foods offers a wide range of products that cater to the diverse tastes and demands of global markets. Our dedication to meeting international standards and certifications ensures that our products are healthy, hygienic, and safe for consumers. When sourcing high-quality Oriental Sauce and other food products, Jolion Foods is the reliable business partner you can count on for excellence and satisfaction.