Reviewing Tangy and Spicy: Worcestershire Sauce

An interesting fact about Worcestershire sauces:

Often mispronounced, wu·stuh·shuh saws, are made with distilled anchovies. Anchovies are small fish. Worcestershire sauce gets its salty, umami taste from distilled anchovies.

What is Worcestershire Sauce?

Worcestershire sauce is a popular sauce used in a variety of dishes. It has a meaty, umami flavor that pairs well with many different foods. It can be used as a condiment on burgers and fries or added to sauces, soups, and stews. It is also used as a marinade for meats or vegetables. 

Types of Worcestershire Sauce:

There are three types of Worcestershire sauces;

Gluten-free Worcestershire Sauce

The sauce is typically made with malt vinegar, which is not gluten-free and might be unsafe for people with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Gluten-free Worcestershire sauce is made with diluted white vinegar rather than malt vinegar. 

Vegetarian or Vegan Worcestershire Sauce

The original Worcestershire recipe contains anchovies. A vegan or vegetarian-friendly variant of the Worcestershire sauce does not include anchovies.

Low Sodium

Low sodium Worcestershire sauce gives off a slightly less salty taste and is ideal for those maintaining a low sodium diet. . 

Worcestershire Sauces Available in the Market

Exploring the available options in the market, here’s what I have gathered about each offering and rated them based on price value for money, variants available, gluten-free or vegan-friendly options, additives information, and packaging options.

The All-rounder – Shangrila Worcestershire Sauce 

Shangrila Worcestershire sauce is a regular Worcestershire sauce. It has molasses which gives it a texture. It is also pocket friendly, comes in two different sizes, and is readily available. It is a great pick to add in/as sauces or, use for marinades.

The Vegan-friendly – Key Worcestershire Sauce

Key Worcestershire sauce cost about the same as Shangrila Worcestershire sauce. It too has molasses for texture, however, it does not contain anchovies so it can be used as a vegetarian or vegan-friendly option.

The Gluten-free – American Garden Worcestershire Sauce 

American Garden Worcestershire sauce is imported from the United States, hence costs about 3x more than the local Worcestershire sauces. It is eco-friendly and comes in reusable packaging; however, with anchovies as an ingredient, it’s not vegan/vegetarian-friendly

Everything to Know About Worcestershire Sauces

Taste and Texture

Worcestershire sauce has a tangy, and salty taste. It is often used in tiny  quantities since it can add an overpowering flavor. For texture and consistency, molasses is used in Worcestershire sauce which also gives the sauce its sweet taste.

Origin

 Chemists John Lea and William Perrins, in Worcester, England, created this sauce as they were experimenting with vinegar-based sauces. After a sour batch was left to ferment, it developed complex yet appetizing flavors and was named Worcestershire sauce. 

Storage

Worcestershire sauce has a shelf life of up to one year before opening and should be stored in a refrigerator afterward. The bottle has a best before given; however  approximately in a year, the sauce itself loses  its flavoring and aroma.