How can I tell if soy sauce is of good quality?

How can I tell if soy sauce is of good quality? Is it possible to tell from the smell and colour of the sauce?
I'm aware of the differences of dark vs. light soy sauce (see this question: Soya sauce. Are they different for variety of dishes?). There are also regional differences of soy sauces.
Just a simple rule-of-thumb would be good.
Best Answer
The simplest rule of thumb is to read the ingredients: Water, soybeans, wheat, salt (and maybe something to preserve it). Other brands, may list wheat before soybeans.
"Good quality" and taste may be two different things (like wine). So, it gets a bit tricky to answer. And then there's reduced sodium and light soy which may have other ingredients.
This link may be useful. It covers Japanese soy sauce and touches on the "Grades of Soy Sauce": http://justhungry.com/handbook/just-hungry-handbooks/basics-japanese-soy-sauce-all-you-need-know .
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Quick Answer about "How can I tell if soy sauce is of good quality?"
Signs of Spoilage To tell if your soy sauce is spoiled, give it a sniff and take a good look at the liquid. Look for off, funny, or super strong smell, changes in color or texture, and anything on the surface, like mold (except film yeast, which you can remove).How do you choose quality of soy sauce?
"The best soy sauce is actually two years or older," Young said. Chemical or non-brewed soy sauce is produced quickly within days, a mixture of hydrolized soy protein and flavorings such as corn syrup and caramel. Naturally brewed soy sauce has an aroma and complexity of flavor.How can you tell if soy sauce is real?
SO, THIS IS HOW TO TELL IF YOUR SOY SAUCE IS AUTHENTIC:It should say NATURALLY BREWED somewhere on the label. Read the ingredients list. You can't really tell based on the ingredients alone, because chemically produced soy sauce and traditionally brewed soy sauce basically have the same ingredients.Which brand soy sauce is best?
Bestsellers in Soy Sauce- #1. Ching's Dark Soy Sauce, 90g. ...
- #2. Weikfield Soya Sauce, 200g (Free 20g Extra Inside) ...
- #3. Chings Superior Dark Soy Sauce, 210g. ...
- #4. Lee Kum Kee Light Soy Sauce Bottle, 500 ml. ...
- #5. Ching's Secret Dark Soy Sauce 750gm. ...
- #6. Kikkoman Soy Sauce 1Lt Pet Bottle, 1000 ml. ...
- #7. ...
- #8.
Are there different qualities of soy sauce?
THERE ARE FIVE TYPES OF SOY SAUCE Other than saltiness, it has deep umami (savory flavor), rounded sweetness, refreshing acidity, and a bitterness that brings the tastes together. It is a widely usable, general-purpose condiment, usable in cooking or at table.3 Simple Tips To Identify FAKE Soya Sauce!
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