How much sugar is in hoisin sauce?

Are you starting to feel guilty about your excessive consumption of Chinese takeout? Fear not, my friend. I have ventured into the depths of Google and emerged with the answer to one burning question: how much sugar is really lurking within that oh-so-tasty bottle of hoisin sauce?

What even is hoisin sauce?

Before we embark on our journey into the sugary abyss that is hoisin sauce, let’s first establish what this mysterious condiment actually is. Hoisin sauce originated in China and typically consists of soybeans, garlic, vinegar, chili pepper paste, and various spices. It’s dark brownish-red in color and has a slightly sweet yet tangy taste.

The classic nutrition label breakdown

Alright folks, prepare yourself for some math – it’s time for a good old-fashioned nutrition label breakdown. According to USDA, one tablespoon (18g) of Lee Kum Kee hoisin sauce contains:

  • 41 calories
  • 0.3g fat
  • 10g carbohydrates
  • <1g protein

But wait! Don’t forget about everyone’s favorite enemy – sugar. That same tablespoon also contains 7 grams of sugar.

Putting things into perspective

Now that we’ve established how much sugar can be found in one measly tablespoon of hoisin sauce (seriously though…7 grams??), let’s put things into perspective.

Comparison #1: Coke vs. Hoisin Sauce

According to Coca Cola’s website, there are roughly 39 grams (or just over 5 tablespoons) of sugar in one can (355 ml)of Coke.
Let’s just sit on that fact for a minute.

Comparison #2: Honey Nut Cheerios vs. Hoisin Sauce

Before you dip your chicken skewer into that hoisin sauce, consider this: one serving (3/4 cup) of Honey Nut Cheerios has 9 grams of sugar. That’s more than one tablespoon of hoisin sauce! [Gasp]

But what about the homemade stuff?

Now some people out there might argue that store-bought hoisin sauce is undoubtedly laden with sugar, but homemade versions should be okay, right? Right??

Well…kinda.

While homemade hoisin sauces can provide more control over what exactly goes in it, keep in mind that many recipes still call for plenty of sugar to balance out the flavors from other ingredients like soy sauce and Chinese five spice powder.

One recipe calls for 1/2 cup brown sugar while another uses 3 tablespoons molasses plus 1/4 cup honey, among other sweeteners.

So yeah…homemade isn’t always necessarily healthier.

The verdict

Overall, it’s safe to say that hoisin sauce contains quite a bit of added sugars – roughly 7 grams per tablespoon to be exact. While it may not rival popular soft drinks or sugary cereal options on a sheer quantity level (we’re talking multiple tablespoons versus multiple cans), it should definitely be consumed in moderation.

But hey – life would simply not be worth living without occasionally dousing some spring rolls in this flavorful condiment. So go ahead and enjoy yourself – just maybe reach for something lower in added sugars during your next meal instead.

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