The Case for Using MSG in Home Cooking: Separating Fact from Fiction MSG, or monosodium glutamate, has been a staple in many professional kitchens and cuisines for decades.
Despite its widespread adoption, concerns over the ingredient's alleged health risks have sparked debate among home cooks and food enthusiasts.
Understanding MSG: A Brief History and Definition MSG was first isolated from seaweed in 1907 by Kikunae Ikeda, a Japanese chemist who discovered that the extract could be used to enhance umami flavors in food.