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Honest Umami, a UK-based provider of umami seasoning products, has launched a limited-edition ‘Sprout Mix’ for the festive season.

The mix features a blend of Alder smoked sea salt, muscovado sugar, monosodium glutamate (MSG), garlic and pepper. The flavour boost sachets, designed to level up the classic Christmas dinner side dish, are made naturally from fermented plant-based ingredients.

Honest Umami is a new brand founded this year, aiming to ‘call time on one of the world’s biggest food myths’ and end ‘ignorant misconceptions’ around MSG.

Rob Miller, co-founder of Honest Umami, commented: “The poor old Brussels sprout tends to only grace our dinner tables once a year. Even then it's unloved by many – the thing you're most likely to leave when you're getting a bit full. But if you don't like the flavour of a sprout, there's a good chance it's because their slight natural bitterness is putting you off.”

He explained that MSG can dial down bitter flavours, allowing the sprout’s natural sweetness and umami to come through.

Miller added: “In order to showcase the best of these two unsung heroes, MSG and sprouts, we've decided to make our limited-edition sprout flavour booster. It's a bit smoky, a bit garlicky, a bit peppery and has lots of MSG to boost the natural ‘sproutiness’ of your sprouts. MSG should probably stand for ‘Makes Sprouts Great’.”

The Honest Umami Sprout Mix is available at independent retailers across the UK, priced at £3.95 per 100g pot. The brand’s existing range is also available at Ocado and includes Pure, Chilli, Salt & Pepper and 3-2-1 All-Purpose.

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