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The Japanese company Kikkoman has launched natural dark soy sauce to cater to the Indian market after four years of development. Kikkoman's renowned classic soy sauce is celebrated for its natural brewing process, comprising only four ingredients – soybeans, wheat, salt and water – resulting in its distinctive clear reddish-brown hue. When creating a dark soy sauce tailored for the Indian market, Kikkoman aimed to provide a comparably natural product, avoiding the use of chemicals and artificial seasonings, a practice often employed by other producers of dark soy sauce to enhance its colour.

The outcome is Kikkoman dark soy sauce, crafted by utilising the classic soy sauce as its foundation, combined with Kikkoman's proprietary technology developed to achieve a luscious, deep colour. Shohei Yokobari, product manager for Kikkoman dark soy sauce, said: "We set out to create a dark soy sauce that goes beyond superficial colour enhancements. It was a huge challenge to develop a natural product without added colouring or flavouring agents which is why it took four years of relentless effort and innovation. We are proud to present Kikkoman dark soy sauce – a culmination of our rich brewing history and cutting-edge proprietary technology.” This product is manufactured in India, using Kikkoman Honjozo soy sauce produced in Japan as the main ingredient, in support of the 'Make In India' initiative. "Make in India" is a government initiative announced in 2014 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The goal is to foster the development, manufacturing and assembly of products within India, while encouraging companies to invest in dedicated manufacturing efforts. The initiative aims to create a favourable environment for investments, enhance infrastructure and attract foreign capital by opening up new sectors. It focuses on 25 economic sectors with the objectives of job creation, skill enhancement and the overarching aim of transforming India into a global hub for design and manufacturing exports. As Kikkoman dark soy sauce was specifically created for the Indian market, its production in India aligns with the government's Make in India initiative. Kikkoman looks forward to contributing to the diversity of India's food culture by providing a range of products that cater to various preferences. The new dark soy sauce will be available in February.