Simple Food Storage Items - Worcestershire Sauce

There are many spices, herbs and flavorings that can add zest to an otherwise plain meal. One such simple food item is Worcestershire sauce. It is relatively inexpensive and can make a great deal of difference in your meals prepared from food storage items.

Worcestershire sauce should be stored at room temperature before opening. No refrigeration is necessary for Worcestershire sauce, but once the bottle has been opened, it should be refrigerated in order to maintain the best flavor. Do not freeze Worcestershire sauce. Just give the bottle a good shake before each use.

The recommended shelf life of Worcestershire sauce is 24 months. It is recommended that Worcestershire sauce be consumed within 2 to 3 months after purchase to ensure the best possible flavor. Generally, all Worcestershire sauces are microbiologically safe to eat for an indefinite period of time.

The ingredient that sets Worcestershire sauce apart from most sauces is tamarind, the fruit of the Indian date. The pods, which resemble a brown pea pod, contain thick, sticky pulp that has the consistency of dates and a spicy flavor. Although often referred to as tamarind seed in recipes, it is only the pulp surrounding the seed that is normally used. Tamarind fruit contains more sugar than any other fruit, but is balanced by its high content of acid, thus giving it that sweet and sour taste unique to Worcestershire sauce.

“Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce British and American recipes differ slightly in that the British recipe uses malt vinegar while the American version uses distilled white vinegar, giving the British version a slightly deeper flavour. Also, the American version uses high fructose corn syrup, while the British version has sugar. The British version is sold in Canada. Lea & Perrins uses a distinctive paper wrapper for the version sold in the United States. In the UK, the iconic bottle is well known to consumers for both its shape, and also the orange and black label. Lea & Perrins Sauce is also very popular in New Zealand and is used much in the same way as it is in Britain.”
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lea_%26_Perrins

For the DIY people out there: Make Your Own Worchester Sauce

Any meal can be made even better with a few simple flavorings added. A little Worcestershire sauce goes a long way.

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