MSG is made by by fermenting glutamate-rich foods, such as cassava, corn, sugar beets, sugar cane or molasses, to make pure umami seasoning.| The Glutamate Association
We here at MSGdish love recounting the story of Dr. Kikunae Ikeda’s original discovery of the little crystals that would one day became known as MSG (monosodium glutamate). While Ikeda certainly did not invent the umami taste-- it has been in the foods of many cultures for centuries-- he was the first to distill the crystallized form of umami so that it could be used in an even wider variety of foods! You see, before Dr. Ikeda, there was no simple way to sprinkle pure umami seasoning on foo...| MSGdish
This history of what is MSG details its discovery, how it is currently made, and how umami seasoning enhances flavor.| The Glutamate Association