CultureAugust 8, 2026

benzoate

BEN-zoh-ayt

Definition

A salt or ester of benzoic acid often used as a preservative to prevent the growth of mold and bacteria in food products.

Etymology

Derived from 'benzoic acid,' which originates from 'gum benzoin' (a fragrant resin from Asian trees) and the suffix '-ate,' used in chemistry to denote a salt or ester.

In the news

The article mentions sodium benzoate as an additive to look for on soy sauce labels, as it may signal a product that is not traditionally brewed.

The Viral Test For Checking The Quality Of Soy Sauce: Does Shaking The Bottle Actually Work?

Read the full article ↗

Chowhound

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