Coconut aminos is a new condiment that the paleo diet has popularized.
They are made from organic coconut sap and contain no soy sauce or other ingredients.
Unlike soy sauce, they do not contain wheat, gluten, cornstarch, or additives of any kind.
Coconut aminos make for an excellent replacement for soy sauce in many dishes and can be used as a dipping sauce.
What does Coconut aminos taste like? This is what you should know before using this new food trend.
What is Coconut Aminos?
Coconut aminos is a soy sauce substitute made from the sap of a coconut tree.
It’s typically used as an alternative for salt, tamari, or soy sauce and has been hailed by doctors to be heart-healthy because it is high in potassium and contains no sodium.
Be warned that Coconut aminos does not provide the same umami flavor as other soy sauces or salt, so it’s best to use it in small amounts for flavoring food, particularly on dishes as soups with vegetables which can be bland without seasoning.
Coconut aminos also contains palm sugar extract, an organic form of natural sugars extracted from coconut tree sap.
The process is done by tapping the sap of a coconut tree and boiling it until it creates sugars.
Coconut aminos does not have as strong an umami flavor, so be sure to use less when seasoning your dishes.
Remember that this is also low in sodium and high in potassium, which means you can enjoy all day without worrying about health problems related to salt intake or blood pressure issues caused by soy sauce.
It’s similar in taste to soy sauce and can be used in stir-fries, vegetables, or even a dip for sushi.
One of my favorite ways to use it is by mixing it with soy sauce and Sriracha for a sweet, spicy kick.
Are Coconut Aminos Good for You?
Coconut aminos has 17 amino acids and many minerals like potassium, calcium, zinc, selenium, and manganese.
It also contains iron, so you’ll be able to reap the benefits of this ingredient while cooking with it.
It a soy sauce alternative, and they claim to be healthier than their traditional counterpart.
Yet, so far, there is no research to back up these claims.
Some of the health benefits that are claimed as facts by manufacturers and media outlets include:
- Reducing your risk for heart disease
- Managing blood sugar levels
- Promoting weight loss
These three benefits would be great if they were true, but unfortunately, there is little scientific evidence to support them.
To sum up, there is no research on the effects of Coconut aminos, and it would not be easy to measure any benefits.
Tamari vs. Soy Sauce vs. Coconut Aminos
Consumers who want a gluten-free soy sauce alternative can choose from tamari, Coconut aminos, or soy sauce.
Soy sauce is made by fermenting and condensing boiled beans (usually soya) with brine water to form the liquid base of the product.
Tamari is a similar type of soy sauce, but it is made with no (or very little) wheat.
Coconut aminos are produced from the sap obtained during crushing or grating coconut meat to make coconut milk and extract its amino acids.
It contains no wheat, gluten, or GMO ingredients.
Soy sauce’s flavor profile tends to be more complex with salty umami notes, while tamari has less salt but more sweetness and caramel tones.
Coconut aminos are lighter in color than soy sauces because they’re not aged as long.
Tamari has a slightly more complex and less salty flavor than traditional soy sauces, but it’s still very versatile so can be used as an all-purpose dipping sauce or in cooking.
To avoid the typical ‘gluten’ ingredients found in other types of soy sauce, consumers should opt for tamari instead when possible (unless they have a gluten intolerance).
Soy sauce contains sodium, leading to high blood pressure; however, Coconut aminos also contain sodium, although at lower levels.
Tamari has added salt because it doesn’t include wheat – the primary source of potassium and other minerals in most processed foods on grocery store shelves.
However, like all-natural foods, there can be variation among brands – so it’s essential to find one you prefer.
What Does Coconut Aminos Taste Like?
To the average person, the taste of Coconut aminos is mainly unknown.
The reason for this has to do with how it’s produced and marketed as a soy sauce substitute.
It tastes slightly sweet – some people even report that it reminds them of molasses or honey because of its darker color – but still salty enough that you’ll know that it’s not simply sugar water.
Unami is often used to describe it, and this same taste is found in soy sauce.
It might be something akin to what tamari would taste like without any salt added.
If you’re on a ketogenic diet, it’ll be easier to make your Coconut aminos and let your palate decide what it tastes like since there are no added sugars or preservatives in this product.
Coconut aminos has been around for some time now, though, so if you don’t have any issues with soy sauce, then, by all means, go ahead and use that instead.
How Do You Cook with Coconut Aminos?
So you’re thinking about cooking with Coconut aminos, but you’re not sure how to use it?
You don’t have to worry, because there are many recipes out there for all different dishes.
It’s important to note that Coconut aminos is gluten-free and vegan-free.
The flavor is a little bit different than soy sauce, but it’s still absolutely delicious.
There are three ways that people typically use Coconut aminos: as an alternative for soy sauce in Asian dishes, as a replacement for salt when seasoning food, or used as a marinade before grilling meat.
Just make sure that the Coconut aminos are mixed well enough before using them in your dish.
The ratio of Coconut aminos to soy sauce can vary depending on the dish and how you like it.
1:1 is an excellent place to start, but you can go as high as a ratio of two tablespoons for every one tablespoon of soy sauce.
It’s also vital that if your recipe calls for lime or lemon juice, these should be swapped out for vinegar with a similar flavor profile, such as rice wine vinegar.
Where to Buy Coconut Aminos?
Due to its popularity, Coconut aminos have skyrocketed in price. The best place to buy it is on Amazon for a good value and with fast shipping.
Besides these two places, your only other option would be to find an Asian market near you – but that can take some time.
These markets will have a reasonable price on the product, but they may not have it in stock.
Coconut aminos has been rated high on many lists because it tastes excellent over foods like pasta, rice, vegetables, and seafood and tastes delicious as a salad dressing too.
Conclusion
To sum up, Coconut aminos are a healthy, vegan, and gluten-free alternative to traditional soy sauce.
What’s great about this condiment is that not only does it make food taste better-using aminos can help reduce your blood pressure levels over time.
Coconut aminos can be found in grocery stores, as well as online.
For those who haven’t tried this condiment yet, I encourage you to taste the difference for yourself.
I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at just how delicious this alternative is.
What Does Coconut Aminos Taste Like? Does Coconut Aminos Taste Like Soy Sauce?
Ingredients
- Coconut Aminos
- Ingredients from your favorite recipes
Instructions
- Depending on the recipes you choose, the taste can vastly differ.
- For authentic results, it is important to choose a recipe that will highlight the original flavor.
- Have fun experimenting with different recipes and taste tests!
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