A Pinch Of MSG Is The Umami Boost Caramel Apples Need To Taste Better This Fall

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Did you know that MSG is an unexpected pantry staple that adds umami depth to desserts? That includes caramel apples. A pinch of MSG, or monosodium glutamate, will turn them into "not-too-sweet" desserts with rich, balanced flavor. Trust me on this one — I wrote an entire chapter on using MSG to enhance sweet treats in my latest cookbook, "108 Asian Cookies." The key isn't to stir MSG into the caramel sauce and call it a day; you'll use it to enhance another savory component in the sauce. 

Whether you add the MSG to the salted butter you melted for the caramel or mix it with the sea salt, soy sauce, or red miso you've stirred into the sauce to temper the sweetness, all you need is a ¼ teaspoon to amplify those savory, salty notes. The result is a caramel sauce that tastes richer, more complex, and balanced, instead of cloyingly sweet.

Another tip: Add the MSG while the caramel is still warm and easy to stir. This will ensure that the MSG is fully dissolved in the sauce and evenly distributed. If you're not making caramel sauce from scratch, feel free to enhance store-bought caramel sauce with MSG. Just make sure it's warmed up first, and incorporate a salty seasoning with it. 

How does MSG enhance savory flavors? It's essentially glutamate, made from fermenting corn, cassava, or sugar cane. Glutamate is a naturally occurring amino acid found in foods like mushrooms, tomatoes, Parmesan, and soy sauce, and it's what gives foods their savory, umami flavor. When added to a dish with a salty or savory component, MSG amplifies those notes, and everything tastes better. 

Understandably, people may be hesitant to use MSG to enhance desserts like caramel apples. When people first added bacon to sundaes or flaky sea salt to chocolate chip cookies, naysayers balked. Now, these are beloved combinations in the dessert world. Additionally, myths and misinformation have long surrounded MSG, much of it rooted in racism and xenophobia. 

If you are worried that MSG might be bad for you, rest assured: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers it "generally recognized as safe" for human consumption. So this fall, don't be shy with that shaker bottle of MSG. A pinch will turn your caramel apples and other sweet treats into a sweet-and-savory dessert that everyone will be gushing about.