Frequently asked questions
The entire Kikkoman Group follows a sustainable procurement policy, encompassing a set of guidelines for soy sourcing. This forms the basis for our commitment to sustainable soy cultivation, and includes preventing deforestation.
We are also familiar with the sources of our soy procurement in Brazil and can intervene if necessary.
Soybeans from Brazil are only purchased from suppliers with ProTerra certification. ProTerra is a high market standard for a sustainable and responsible soy value chain. You can find more information about ProTerra here: https://www.proterrafoundation.org/The following Kikkoman products are certified with the V-Label:
- Kikkoman Naturally Brewed Soy Sauce
- Kikkoman Naturally Brewed Organic Soy Sauce
- Kikkoman Naturally Brewed Less Salt Soy Sauce
- Kikkoman Naturally Brewed Tamari Gluten free Soy Sauce
- Kikkoman Sauce for Rice - sweet
- Kikkoman Naturally Brewed Sweet Soy Sauce
- Kikkoman Sushi & Sashimi Soy Sauce
- Kikkoman Ponzu Citrus Seasoned Soy Sauce - Lemon
- Kikkoman Concentrated Ramen Noodle Soup Base - Shoyu (Soy Sauce) Flavour
- Kikkoman Sauce for Poke Bowl
In a nutshell, the way it is made! Kikkoman Soy Sauce is naturally brewed over several months, resulting in a top quality, richly coloured, aromatic soy sauce that is perfect for all types of seasoning. This is an instance when less is definitely more – Kikkoman contains only four ingredients: soybeans, wheat, salt and water.
All soy sauces contain a large quantity of salt which is intrinsic to the product, although Japanese-style sauces like Kikkoman usually contain less salt than Chinese versions. However, using soy sauce as a seasoning means you don't have to add extra salt to your food so your overall salt consumption should not increase. It should be used in measured amounts in dishes rather than poured freely. Health concerns over salt consumption is a serious challenge for western diets, so Kikkoman also make a Less Salt Soy Sauce, which contains 43% less salt than its original naturally brewed soy sauce for those looking to decrease their salt intake further.
Chinese soy sauces are available in both light and dark versions. Some are chemically produced and others are partially brewed. Dark soy sauces may contain caramel colouring (E150) and light Chinese soy sauces are often very salty.
Kikkoman produces just one soy sauce in Europe because it is suitable for all dishes, even recipes that specify light or dark sauces. The clarity of Kikkoman means it will not discolour clear broths or stocks, and its aromatic qualities work to enhance rather than overpower delicate flavours.
Most Chinese soy sauce is produced using a much shorter brewing process using little or no wheat and no yeast, as well as having a higher salt content than the Japanese type. Also some Chinese brands are a mixture between a brewed soy sauce and a chemical one.
Kikkoman has been making its renowned naturally brewed soy sauce to thesame recipe for more than 300 years. The Kikkoman soy sauce sold in Europe is produced in the Netherlands from just four ingredients: soybeans, wheat, water and salt. The manufacture does not use any ingredients imported from China. All ingredients used by Kikkoman are subject to strict quality control throughout the complete production process.
Gluten is broken down during the fermentation process, so the gluten content in the final product is minimal, but it cannot be guaranteed that it is gluten-free.
For those with gluten intolerance, our Tamari Gluten-free Soy Sauce is recommended.
No, there’s no difference. Both contain the same naturally brewed soy sauce. They’ve just been filled into different bottles. The iconic designer bottle looks great on the table and gives maximum pouring control (place a finger over one of the holes in the cap to control speed of flow). The designer bottle is also refillable and dishwasher safe.
Kikkoman soy sauce is still made to an original recipe that dates back over 300 years in a six-month natural brewing process. Only the four pure ingredients of soy sauce, wheat, water and salt are used. The soy sauce contains no additives whatsoever. Read here for details on the various stages of the production process.
Kikkoman Naturally Brewed Soy Sauce products for European markets are manufactured in Sappemeer, The Netherlands. Only pure ingredients are used in the production of Kikkoman Naturally Brewed Soy Sauce. The Soybeans are purchased from Brazil, Canada or the U.S.A., the wheat is grown in Germany and salt and water come from the Netherlands. Soybeans from Brazil are only supplied by suppliers who have a ProTerra certification. The ProTerra Foundation is a not for profit organisation that advances and promotes sustainability at all levels of the feed and food production cycle.
For further information about ProTerra please visit https://www.proterrafoundation.org/