Hoisin Sauce

Widely used in southern China, this is a thick, dark, brownish red sauce which is made from soybeans, vinegar, sugar, spices, and other flavourings. It is sweet and slighdy spicy. In the West, it is often used as a sauce for Peking duck instead of the traditional sweet bean sauce. Hoisin sauce is available in cans and jars and may also be labelled barbecue sauce.