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SMART SHOPPING: Liquid Smoke

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We were among the many people who assume that there must be some kind of synthetic chemical chicanery going on in the making of “liquid smoke” flavoring, but that’s not the case. Liquid smoke is made by channeling smoke from smoldering wood chips through a condenser, which quickly cools the vapors, causing them to liquefy (just like the drops that form when you breathe on a piece of cold glass). The water-soluble flavor compounds in the smoke are trapped within this liquid, and the nonsoluble, carcinogenic tars and resins are removed by a series of filters, resulting in a clean, smoke-flavored liquid. When buying liquid smoke, be sure to avoid brands with additives such as salt, vinegar, and molasses. Our top-rated brand, Wright’s Liquid Smoke, contains nothing but smoke and water.