Travelling through Egypt this past summer introduced me to some amazing foods. However, it also introduced me to Maggi. Every single time (and I am not exaggerating) I asked someone for a recipe of a dish we just devoured, it included a Maggi cube. We had this awesome rice that was golden brown in color, and dotted with sautéed chicken liver. I had never had it before, but here I was having it at three different family members’ homes. The last time I ate it, I asked how it was made – “oh, it’s simple. Sauté 3 Maggi cubes insamna(ghee) before adding in the rice and…..” GULP. Yes, THREE Maggi cubes. Do you know how bad for you ONE lil’ maggi cube is, let alone three?!
Oh, little brown cube, how nasty you are but how delicious you make food taste! Let me tell you a bit more about the beloved lil’ brown cube. After salt being the first ingredient, meaning the cube is comprised mostly of salt, the second ingredient ishydrogenatedpalm oil. While we know that partially hydrogenated oil is indeeddangerous to our health(thinktrans fats), there isdebateas to the effect of fully hydrogenated oils. What we do know, is that these fats should be kept to a minimum, if not entirely eliminated. So two ingredients in, and we already find the Maggi cube to be a bit sketchy.
Now let us turn to the third ingredient – what I refer to as the “evil” ingredient – in Maggi: monosodium glutamate, also known as MSG. Have you ever heard of the fifth taste,umami? I first heard of it when watching Top Chef. When MSG was first created and added to food, it could not be described as sweet, salty, sour, or bitter. The world ended up with the new, fifth flavor sense ofumami. This flavor generally hasno translation, but can only be described as “pleasant,” “brothy,” “meaty,” or “long lasting, mouthwatering and coating sensation over the tongue.” Sounds pretty damn good, huh?
But BEWARE! Consumption of MSG has beenlinkedto everything from migraines,liver inflammation, attention deficits, and even diseases such as fibromyalgia. Further, some people may feel the effects of MSG right away, while others feel a cumulative effect over time. This is the scary part, because thelistof foods containing MSG is shocking. Will using one evil-MSG-filled cube of Maggi kill you? No, but using it regularly, over time, coupled with the millions of other products containing MSG surely cannot be good for you. This cannot be good news for the millions across the world that consume Maggi regularly.
The problem here is that the Middle East simply does not sell chicken broth. Here in the UAE, I have never once seen chicken broth sold at the grocery stores, not even at the high end shops. In the United States, I used to happily truck over to Costco and buy a box of 6 cartons of organic chicken broth. I had no idea what a luxury that was. In Abu Dhabi, you see aisles filled with cartons of Maggi with consumers grabbing a carton along with milk and eggs – it has become a staple in Middle Eastern cooking.
ENTER SIMPLE SOLUTION – Make your own broth. It is so easy; it shouldn’t even be called a recipe. It was more of an assembly of sorts – a laSandra Leestyle (although don’t get me started on her “cooking.”). This recipe uses a small, whole chicken. After I finished the broth, I pulled off the meat and added it to a biryani. Additionally, I use a mastic crystal – if you do not have any, you do not need it, but it does add a nice, unique “umami” flavor to the broth (5 points for me for using the wordumamiin a sentence- ha!). We plan on doing a spotlight post on mastic soon. I also used my trusty pressure cooker – makes life that much more simple. Now, I know that when you have a recipe that requires chicken broth, it is tempting to reach for the Maggi cube, but try making this and freezing it. Every time you use homemade broth instead of a Maggi cube, an angel (or your family member) doesn’t get a migraine….
FAQs
Product Ingredient
Salt, Sugar, Chicken Extract and Fat, Onion. Contains Monosodium Glutamate, Sodium Inosinate and Sodium Guanylate as permitted flavour enhancer. Contains Stabiliser As Permitted Food Conditioner. Contains Permitted Flavourings (contains soya, gluten, celery).
Can I use Maggi instead of chicken stock? ›
MAGGI Chicken Stock Cubes are not only a tasty and easy substitute for regular chicken broth but also a fantastic option for anybody trying to cut back on their meat consumption without compromising flavour.
What are the ingredients in chicken stock cubes? ›
Wheat Flour (with Added Calcium, Iron, Niacin, Thiamin), Salt, Dried Glucose Syrup, Flavour Enhancer (monosodium Glutamate), Yeast Extract, Flavourings, Chicken Fat (3%), Potato Starch, Sugar, Concentrated Chicken Extract (2%), Colour (ammonia Caramel).
Is chicken bouillon the same as chicken broth? ›
Bouillon is made by removing the water from chicken broth, leaving all the flavor of the broth without the volume. Bouillon is typically sold as a loose powder or compact cube, which can be redissolved in boiling water to create an instant broth. One benefit of using chicken bouillon is its shelf stability.
What is the secret ingredient of Maggi? ›
Maggi Masala is a unique blend of spices that give Maggi noodles their signature flavor. The exact recipe is a trade secret, but it is known to contain a variety of spices, including coriander, cumin, fennel, turmeric, red chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, ginger powder, and salt.
Is Maggi the same as bouillon? ›
Maggi cube is a popular flavoring enhancer or bouillon, that can be found all over the world.
Is Maggi chicken stock healthy? ›
🐓Maggi cubes are made from carefully selected ingredients, which have been approved by regulatory authorities. 🐓They are safe and pose no danger to the health of consumers. 🐓It consists of chicken, salt, onion, cumin, turmeric, black pepper, cardamom and parsley.
Does Maggi bouillon have MSG? ›
Maggi cubes are made from carefully selected ingredients. Each cube contains iodised salt, sugar, chilli, pepper, cloves, cassava, onion, corn starch, monosodium glutamate (MSG), palm oil, soya lecithin, color caramel, and lovage. In some countries, the cube does not contain cassava, but fermented soy beans.
How much water do you put in Maggi chicken stock? ›
Just dissolve 2 cubes of MAGGI® Chicken Stock into 1 liter of boiling water to make the broth. It has just the right balance of salt so we recommend not adding extra salt. You can use it for all your favorite rice and stew dishes and almost all your everyday dishes.
What is Maggi chicken stock cubes made of? ›
Ingredients : Salt, Corn Starch (Contains Sulphite), Sugar, Chicken Meat And Fat (9%), Monosodium Glutamate, Palm Oil, Flavorings (Contains Soya and Gluten), Maltodextrin, Yeast Extract, Sodium Inosinate and Sodium Guanylate, Garlic Powder, Spices, Onion, Celery Seed, Citric Acid, Caramel.
The American Heart Association recommends no more than 2,300 milligrams (mgs) a day and an ideal limit of no more than 1,500 mg per day for most adults, even less for sodium-sensitive individuals with high blood pressure. So, no, stock cubes aren't really healthy for most people.
What is the difference between broth and stock cube? ›
Stock is generally made from bones, and broth is generally made from flesh. In both cases, they are often supported with aromatic vegetables, but in the case of stock, left unseasoned for maximum flexibility in recipes, whereas broth will usually contain at least salt and pepper.
Can you drink chicken broth when sick? ›
Even the water or broth in chicken soup could offer benefits. When sick, it's easy to get dehydrated, Pike said, so consuming something water-based can be helpful. Plus, if you're losing electrolytes from gastrointestinal illness, chicken broth can replace them—it's rich in sodium at 924 milligrams per cup.
Is chicken bouillon bad for cholesterol? ›
The favorite choice for the term "Broth" is 1 cup of Chicken Broth, Bouillon or Consomme which has no cholesterol.
What is Maggi liquid made of? ›
MAGGI Liquid seasoning is a dark-coloured, concentrated flavour enhancer made from hydrolysed vegetable protein (wheat). It has a rich umami savouriness. Umami is often thought of as the fifth taste — after sweet, salty, sour and bitter. Japan first described the taste over 100 years ago.
What ingredients is Maggi made of? ›
Nestlé India Ltd. Noodles: Refined Wheat Flour (Maida), Palm Oil, Wheat Gluten, Iodised Salt, Thickeners (508 & 412), Acidity Regulators (501(I) & 500(I)) And Humectant (451(I)). MAY CONTAIN MILK SOLIDS, MUSTARD AND SOYA.
Does Maggi chicken bouillon have MSG? ›
A Maggi bouillon provides around 0.1-0.3 grams of MSG per portion.
Which is better, Knorr or Maggi? ›
In terms of taste, more customers believe that Knorr has a milder, less salty taste than Maggi. A good number of people said Knorr adds a unique taste to every meal. Consumer's opinions across board, reveals that approximately 56% people think Maggi has high salt, iodine, and sodium content.
