Second off...umami. It's a word that's always been a little full of mystery for me. It's a word to describe a taste along with salty, sweet, bitter or sour, all of which I feel I have a basic grasp.
But umami? Please. I had my suspicions that Google confirmed: it just means savory. That's all. It's goofy to me, using a word then immediately having to include a much easier to grasp definition. Why can't we just call it "savory" and skip the whole "umami" deal? Granted, it's more fun to say, and makes me feel a little sophisticated, but still. In the food description family, umami is the hoity-toity cousin that tries just a little too hard to stick out.
All this to say if anyone ever asks you what "umami" tastes like, for whatever reason, it wouldn't be a bad idea to pick up Trader Joe's Mushroom & Company Multipurpose Umami Seasoning Blend.
It's, well....savory. Duh. But there's quite a bit going on here too. There's a good salty bite, but also a little spice, a little heat, a little herby earthy type vibe...and comfort. It tastes like comfort. Like a warm broth washing over all the ills of the world. There's just something extra to it. Maybe somehow it's the mushroom powder, as I have no idea what it really does, but man, it's there. It's something to really kinda experience instead of being easily describable.Except maybe in this regard: it tastes like what makes chicken soup good. Or a good gravy. Or some nicely roasted meat. Or...stuff like that. I can somehow only think of the seasoning through a carnivore lens, though I'm sure it'd work on veggies and potato soup and all that kinda stuff too.
My only complaint is it seems a lot has to be used to make the flavor really noticeable. We made some New Years pork roast that I had to shake a bit much of this on top to really release the umami tsunami. Eh well. No matter. More comfort, one shake at a time.
No real complaints. It'll be a pantry staple as long as TJ's can be bothered to carry it, which will hopefully be all of this year. That'd really make 2019 one to savor.
Bottom line: Trader Joe's Mushroom & Company Multipurpose Umami Seasoning Blend: 9 out of 10 Golden Spoons.
The Japanese word umami means savory deliciousness (or along those lines). I expect 'Murica took it on a loan like so many other words for concepts that have no literal correspondence in English. Like schadenfreude or fremdschamen. That out of the way, the TJ's version has just a hair more oomph than other umami mushroom powders I've used, and maybe it's because it has porcini in it rather than shitake like the Takii? I plan to find out how the two taste in tandem now, lol. https://www.amazon.com/Takii-Umami-Powder-Fifth-Foods/dp/B00HYL4HK2
ReplyDeleteI love anything mushroom so this looks interesting.
ReplyDeleteI have to get this today....I love everything in trader joes
ReplyDeleteNot easily swayed but I'll try this with a plain pasta, tossed with garlic infused olive oil, fresh sauteed mushrooms,arugula and fresh grated parm.
ReplyDelete'If Trader Joe's can be bothered to carry it'. Do you really think it's as simple as that and arbitrary as that? Their product R & D can take years...but they decide they can't be bothered to carry something? What sort of business model is that? When products have quality, packaging or production issues, or IF THEY JUST DONT PERFORM PROFITABLY throughout the company, they pull them to make room for new products that keep this site relevant. Use your head.
ReplyDeleteYou know this is just a food blog and not the Wall Street Journal...come on, lighten up.
DeleteNomnompaleo on Insta has the best recipes using her Magic Musheoom powder. I imagine Trader Joe's mimicked her recipe.
ReplyDeleteI bought this about a week ago. It's pretty salty for my taste. This something that would season a pork roast nicely, but be too salty on veggies or a lighter cut of meat like chicken breast.
ReplyDeleteToo salty!
ReplyDeleteI agree, I used it on fried rice and it about made it inedible
DeleteI think maybe it will be good on alfredo sauce or a bit on steaks for flavor. Just a bit of flavor enhancement.
ReplyDeleteI have put this on my roasted veggies, country style ribs, and on top of my veggie beef soup. It gave everything that something extra. I've only been to Trader Joe's on one occasion so I'm still skimming the surface. I am not disappointed with my initial purchases.
ReplyDeleteThis product is a complete rip-off of Nom Nom Paleo's "Magic Mushroom Powder." Buy hers next time instead! I know TJ's usually makes their store-brand version of popular or trending food items, but it feels less kosher when they're stealing an idea from a small, independent, family-owned business. (Or you could just find her recipe on her website and make your own!)
ReplyDeleteLooks interesting. Thanks for the review! I do wish that more spice blends omit the salt. I can always add more - who’s pantry doesn’t have salt ;-) - this one lists sal as the first ingredient. I’ll still give it a try but I might have to use it sparingly. Great post!
ReplyDeleteIt's basically just salt. It tastes like onion salt to me.
ReplyDeleteIs it gluten free? Celiac.
ReplyDeleteI bought this on this column's recommendation but hadn't tried it yet. I used it today on a can of Progresso Chicken with Wild Rice soup, and it perked it right up. Glad I bought it!
ReplyDeleteLove it! I sprinkle it on egg whites and it’s delicious!
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