Doubanjiang

Doubanjiang (traditional Chinese: 豆瓣醬; simplified Chinese: 豆瓣酱; pinyin: dòubànjiàng, IPA: [tôʊpântɕjâŋ]), also known as douban, toban-djan, broad bean chili sauce, or fermented chili bean paste, is a hot and savory Chinese bean paste made from fermented broad beans, chili peppers, soybeans, salt and flour. Characteristically used in Sichuan cuisine, it has been called "the soul of Sichuan cuisine." Sichuan dishes such as mapo tofu, huoguo (Sichuan hotpot), yuxiang flavor, and shuizhu all use doubanjiang as a key ingredient. Other regions have their own versions: in Guangdong and Taiwan, for instance, the Sichuan doubanjiang is called la-doubanjiang (Chinese: 辣豆瓣醬, "la" (辣) meaning "hot" or "spicy") to distinguish it from plainer versions.
The best-known variety of doubanjiang is arguably Pixian doubanjiang (Chinese: 郫縣豆瓣醬; pinyin: Píxiàn dòubànjiàng), named for Pixian (now Pidu District, Chengdu city), Sichuan. Pixian doubanjiang is produced with a long fermentation period under sunlight (often longer than 3 years). The jingle for Pixian doubanjiang used the ancient fermentation method, "flip it over during daytime, expose it at night, sunbathe it in sunny days, cover it when it rains." (Chinese: 白天翻，晚上露，晴天曬，雨時蓋).
The distinctive flavor of Pixian doubanjiang from the place of origin, Pixian, has a close relationship with the geographical location. Pixian is located in the plains, with more sunshine, higher air humidity, and no water pollution. The environment provides an environment for the survival of microbial flora, which is needed for the fermentation process of Pixian doubanjiang, and the unique microbial flora created the particular flavor of Pixian doubanjiang.
Pixian doubanjiang has a reddish-brown color with a deep and complex umami profile. The standard way to use it is to first fry it in oil before adding other ingredients, infusing the oil with its characteristic color and fragrance.
Pixian doubanjiang is a geographical indication (GI) protected product, with its quality assessment standards last published in 2006, up to GB/T 20560-2006. It states:
The optimal process conditions for doubanjiang are 56% water, 10% added salt, 40°C fermentation temperature, and 40 hours of qu starter-making time.
Doubanjiang may be produced at home with just soybeans, salt and spices. Normal home-made or factory-produced doubanjiang rarely has the long fermentation time that gives the Pixian version its character.
Hongyou doubanjiang (Chinese: 红油豆瓣酱, doubanjiang in red chili oil) is sometimes confused with Pixian doubanjiang. Hongyou doubanjiang is not fermented, it usually contains extra spices, and the chili oil can be made from any chili variety.
Binzhou (Binzhou, Shandong) watermelon doubanjiang (Chinese: 滨州西瓜豆瓣酱) is a non-spicy doubanjiang whose ingredients include soybeans, watermelon, flour, salt, etc. Binzhou watermelon doubanjiang is often fermented, and processed without any chemical additives.
Doubanjiang used outside of Sichuan is often not spicy.
Doubanjiang is a fermented sauce. It is produced by microbial fermentation, and there is no guarantee that the microorganisms in it are completely inactivated when they are sold. Therefore, storing them at room temperature after opening is likely to accelerate the growth of microorganisms and make the condiments go bad. Doubanjiang is also high in fat. The fat in it may cause oxidation at room temperature. Condiments like doubanjiang should be kept well sealed in a glass container and refrigerated.
Doubanjiang can be used for many dishes, Pixian Doubanjiang is known as the "soul of Sichuan cuisine" by reputation. Doubanjiang can be used to make Mapo tofu, Twice-cooked pork, Sichuan hot pot, Yuxiang shredded pork, Kung Pao chicken, Stir-fried pork, Shuizhu pork (water boiled pork), etc.