What is Shaoxing Wine, and why's it in almost every Chinese recipe?

Summary by Krater

This video explains what Shaoxing rice wine is, detailing its types, history, and usage in Chinese cooking, and concludes with tips on selecting and substituting it.

From the video

Answers: What is Shaoxing wine and how do you use it in Chinese cooking?

• Shaoxing wine varieties
• History of Shaoxing rice wine
• Balancing flavors in Chinese cooking
• Heat control in wok stir-frying
• Cooking wine vs drinking wine

What it concludes

• Shaoxing rice wine is salted, spiced, and formulated specifically for cooking rather than drinking.
• Jiafan Jiu is the most popular variety of Shaoxing wine used for cooking and drinking in local cuisine.
• Liao Jiu ferments Shaoxing wine for only about 20 days before adding ethanol and salt, making it a budget-friendly option.
• Shaoxing wine is used in marinades and stir-fries primarily to add a subtle fragrance and balance unpleasant gamey or fishy odors.