We are excited to introduce Sesame Miso Shake, our first blend featuring a dash of MSG. It’s delicious (and safe)! 

MSG is sodium and glutamate. A sprinkle of it gives food a more savory or umami flavor. MSG is commercially produced by fermenting starch, sugar beets, sugar cane or molasses. But it also occurs naturally in many foods, including tomatoes and parmesan. 

Although MSG was discovered more than 100 years ago, it got a bad reputation beginning in 1968, when an anecdotal story about one man’s experience at a Chinese restaurant created a backlash against the ingredient. It became known as “Chinese Restaurant Syndrome,” even though there was no scientific evidence to support the claims. 

In the following decades, study after study confirmed that MSG was safe to consume. But still, the anti-MSG movement took off, fueled by xenophobia and anti-Chinese racism. 

Fear of MSG still persists, and it has been perpetuated by labels declaring products are MSG-free. We’re happy to join a number of voices trying to change that negative perception.