Worcestershire sauce

Worcestershire Sauce is a fermented liquid condiment of complex mixture, first created in the city of Worcester, England, during the first half of the 19th century. The creators were the chemists John Wheeley Lea and William Henry Perrins, who went on to form the company Lea & Perrins. Worcestershire Sauce is traditionally used in seafood, beef, and chicken dishes, and is a key ingredient in the classic Bloody Mary cocktail.

History

The precise recipe for Worcestershire Sauce is a closely guarded secret, known only to a few individuals at any given time. The sauce was first sold in 1837 by Lea and Perrins, and has been produced in the same location in Worcester ever since. The original recipe was likely inspired by Indian pickles, brought back to Britain by Englishmen returning from the British Raj.

Ingredients

The primary ingredients of Worcestershire Sauce are vinegar, molasses, sugar, salt, anchovies, tamarind extract, onions, and garlic. The ingredients are left to mature for a period of 18 months before being blended and bottled. The exact process and proportions used remain a secret of the Lea & Perrins company.

Uses

Worcestershire Sauce is commonly used as a condiment on steak, in Caesar salad, and as an ingredient in Welsh rarebit, Oysters Kirkpatrick, and deviled eggs. It is also used in a variety of cocktails, including the Bloody Mary and Michelada.

Variations

There are many variations of Worcestershire Sauce, with different brands offering their own unique recipes. Some versions are vegetarian or vegan, substituting the anchovies with soy sauce or other plant-based ingredients.

See Also

• List of condiments
• List of sauces
• Fish sauce
• Soy sauce