Monosodium glutamate

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Monosodium glutamate (a.k.a. MSG, ve-tsin, E621) is a salt (chemically and taste-wise) that is marketed as a flavour enhancer.

It is associated with Chinese food, but also in western items like some chips (e.g. the taste of Doritos wouldn't be the same without it), some condiments, some canned soups., some fast food chicken, some processed meat.

Some people dislike it over the fact that it mostly seems to makes you thirsty. People do tend to use a little too much of it - very little is needed before it starts to overpower.

See also

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monosodium_glutamate
• http://www.food-info.net/uk/e/e621.htm