Little packet in my soybean paste?

heza

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So I used to buy soybean paste at my regular grocery store, but they stopped carrying it. We decided to go to the big Asian food grocery store and found some there. There were many varieties, from which I chose at random because none of the labels were in English. I'm not sure what I have. It looks and tastes like what I wanted, so there's that. The only thing is that there was a little silver foil packet full of fine black powder sitting on top of the paste. Does anyone know what that is? Do I need it?
 
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heza

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Is silica black powder? I'm used to it being white.... But, yeah, possibly. I just didn't know; no paste I'd bought before had a packet.


(Glad I didn't just dump it in my soup!)
 

mccardey

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Is silica black powder? I'm used to it being white.... But, yeah, possibly. I just didn't know; no paste I'd bought before had a packet.
Well now you need to find out, and report back. Enquiring minds want to know
 

SWest

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Fermented silica?

:greenie

I would still guess it's some kind of shelf-life extender.

This blogger makes two references to a desiccant/preservative packet in one brand:

See comments sections here and here.
 

heza

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Fermented silica?

:greenie

I would still guess it's some kind of shelf-life extender.

This blogger makes two references to a desiccant/preservative packet in one brand:

See comments sections here and here.


I guess that's what it is, then. I said foil, but only one side was foil. The other side was paper... so. Also, thanks for that link. That soup looks delicious!
 

MaeZe

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Are you sure that's not some kind of silica or other preservative (so not edible)?

This ^, technically it's a desiccant.

It should have some kind of Do Not Eat warning on it. I have seen desiccants in foil-like packets.

Black is probably a charcoal or activated carbon based desiccant.
 
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mccardey

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This ^, technically it's a desiccant.
I think it's drugs. Have you tried smoking it? (I'm not suggesting that you try smoking it, I'm just wondering you have....)
 

heza

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I think it's drugs. Have you tried smoking it? (I'm not suggesting that you try smoking it, I'm just wondering you have....)

Smoke it? Now you tell me. I thought I was supposed to rack up a line with it....

ETA:... of it? My drug lingo is not authentic.
 
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mccardey

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Smoke it? Now you tell me. I thought I was supposed to rack up a line with it....

ETA:... of it? My drug lingo is not authentic.

According to my reps, we're not convincing anyone. :(
 

heza

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According to my reps, we're not convincing anyone. :(

I guess it's a good thing I write wholesome middle grade fiction.

I've got it in my head that we're not supposed to post images hosted on imgur... but now someone else has told me it's fine? Someone else let me know if we can't....
Here's the packet in question:

LTq2ysA.jpg
 

Tocotin

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It's an oxygen absorber(脱酸素剤)for miso paste(お味噌用), not to be eaten (たべられません):)
 
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regdog

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I guess it's a good thing I write wholesome middle grade fiction.

I've got it in my head that we're not supposed to post images hosted on imgur... but now someone else has told me it's fine? Someone else let me know if we can't....
Here's the packet in question:

LTq2ysA.jpg



It's fine to post pictures from Imgur, or any other photo hosting site. Hotlinking is not allowed.