What You Need to Know
The fungus Aspergillus oryzae breaks down starches into sugars, which are then converted into compounds with unique flavors and aromas through a series of enzymatic reactions. This process involves the action of amylases, proteases, and other enzymes that degrade complex molecules into simpler ones.
Steps
- 1.
Shoyu (Japanese soy sauce) (Japan): Primary fermentation agent converting starches to sugars
- 2.
Douchi (Chinese fermented black beans) (China): Creates characteristic umami flavor profile
- 3.
Makgeolli (Korean rice wine) (Korea): Simultaneous saccharification and fermentation
The Science
Primary Reaction
Enzymatic hydrolysis