The Flavor Bridge: How MSG Elevates Your Cooking Monosodium glutamate (MSG) has been a polarizing ingredient in the culinary world for over a century.
Some cooks swear by its ability to add depth and umami flavor, while others dismiss it as a potential health risk or taste enhancer. The truth about MSG lies somewhere in between.
Understanding MSG: The Mysterious Flavor Enhancer MSG was first isolated from seaweed by Japanese chemist Kikunae Ikeda in 1907.