MSG stands for Monosodium Glutamate. It is a sodium salt of glutamic acid, an amino acid naturally found in foods like tomatoes, cheese, mushrooms, and meat

. MSG is widely used as a flavor enhancer in cooking to intensify the umami taste, which is known as the fifth basic taste alongside sweet, sour, salty, and bitter

. Chemically, MSG is made by fermenting starch, sugar beets, sugar cane, or molasses into a white, odorless crystalline powder that dissolves easily in water

. It enhances the savory flavor of foods such as soups, stews, sauces, and snacks, and is recognized as safe by regulatory bodies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration

. In summary, MSG is a flavor-enhancing food additive derived from glutamic acid, used globally to boost the savory taste of various dishes