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explain to me why your roux tastes different

Posted on 1/30/13 at 12:28 pm
Posted by oldcharlie8
Baton Rouge
Member since Dec 2012
7862 posts
Posted on 1/30/13 at 12:28 pm
i always buy store-bought roux out of a jar. i know that the ingredients are flour, oil, seasoning. that seems simple enough.

so, i see people getting ridiculed for buying roux in a jar. can you please let me know WHY you support your roux more?

what makes yours taste better?

Posted by Croacka
Denham Springs
Member since Dec 2008
61451 posts
Posted on 1/30/13 at 12:31 pm to
I use jar everytime

I also use frozen veggies but that's another debate

I've done it both ways and the differences don't warrant the time IMO
Posted by alajones
Huntsvegas
Member since Oct 2005
35941 posts
Posted on 1/30/13 at 12:32 pm to
Well, mine is different because I use butter. It isn't as dark.

I know plenty of people here who are fine with roux in a jar. I used it myself for years.
Posted by Zach
Gizmonic Institute
Member since May 2005
117708 posts
Posted on 1/30/13 at 12:33 pm to
I can't answer that because I've never bought roux in a jar. The reason I never tried an experiment is that I read a lot of C.S. Lewis as a child and was convinced I would go to hell.
Posted by Gris Gris
OTIS!NO RULES FOR SAUCES ON STEAK!!
Member since Feb 2008
49636 posts
Posted on 1/30/13 at 12:34 pm to
I don't think jarred roux is awful. I've used it in a time crunch a few times. I don't think it tastes the same as cast iron homemade roux and I can't really describe the difference. I see a texture difference in my gumbo, though. There's a distinct flavor difference that I can't put my finger on. I've wondered if it's the oil they use versus what I use. Mine is a bit darker which makes a difference. I find the jar to be more milk chocolate.

Since I discovered oven roux and how easy that is with the same flavor, I recommend it to those who don't want to make the stovetop version. It's not the answer, however, to those trying to save time other than that it will cook while you're chopping things up.
Posted by oldcharlie8
Baton Rouge
Member since Dec 2012
7862 posts
Posted on 1/30/13 at 12:36 pm to
quote:

and I can't really describe the difference.


well, that explains it.
Posted by Gris Gris
OTIS!NO RULES FOR SAUCES ON STEAK!!
Member since Feb 2008
49636 posts
Posted on 1/30/13 at 12:38 pm to
quote:

and I can't really describe the difference.




well, that explains it.


Yeah, I'm not much help on describing it, but there is definitely a difference in flavor and texture for me in addition to it not being as dark as I like it. It's more of a milk chocolate when you get it into the pot.
Posted by OTIS2
NoLA
Member since Jul 2008
52599 posts
Posted on 1/30/13 at 12:48 pm to
quote:

there is definitely a difference in flavor and texture for me in addition to it not being as dark as I like it. It's more of a milk chocolate when you get it into the pot.
Yep. The differences for me are color, texture and taste, but other than that, my roux and jar roux is exactly the same. Come to think of it, some of my soups and sauces have the same ingredients as their store bought contemporaries ....yet they taste different...odd? I think not.
Posted by oldcharlie8
Baton Rouge
Member since Dec 2012
7862 posts
Posted on 1/30/13 at 12:50 pm to
quote:

The differences for me are color,


so your roux is normaly darker than Kary's:

This post was edited on 1/30/13 at 12:55 pm
Posted by Capt ST
High Plains
Member since Aug 2011
13676 posts
Posted on 1/30/13 at 12:52 pm to
Because I can't make an 8 beer roux from a jar.
Posted by Gris Gris
OTIS!NO RULES FOR SAUCES ON STEAK!!
Member since Feb 2008
49636 posts
Posted on 1/30/13 at 12:54 pm to
I tasted Kary's once. Didn't like it at all. Threw it out and used Savoie's when I was making quick gumbo on a work night for some folks who'd had a death in the family. Even Savioe's looks darker in the jar than it is when you pour it out. I've only used jarred a few times, but Savoie's isn't dark enough for my taste. Hard to tell with the photo. I'd have to see it out of the jar and I don't recall if it was as dark as I like it.
Posted by OTIS2
NoLA
Member since Jul 2008
52599 posts
Posted on 1/30/13 at 12:55 pm to
I've used Kary's. As I said, the differences with my roux are color, texture and taste.
Posted by Party At LSU
Member since Nov 2005
11173 posts
Posted on 1/30/13 at 1:08 pm to
Because most of my gumbos have duck in them, and I use rendered duck fat instead of oil. Yes, it's that big of a difference.
Posted by LoneStarTiger
Lone Star State
Member since Aug 2004
16506 posts
Posted on 1/30/13 at 1:09 pm to
when I used the jar roux before, it seems like I added it to boiling stock and then added trinity

when I make a roux I add the trinity to it once it's the right color and cook that until the onions are nearly clear. I think cooking the trinity down in it gives it a different taste, and the smell that occurs when you pour the trinity onto the roux and stir is the greatest smell in the world

plus I like to drink a beer or three while stirring a roux



Posted by Tommy Patel
Member since Apr 2006
7558 posts
Posted on 1/30/13 at 1:11 pm to
quote:

I don't think it tastes the same as cast iron homemade roux and I can't really describe the difference. I see a texture difference in my gumbo, though


this, I notice it but my guests don't, I also think homemade Roux incorporates a little better with the other Ingredients(the marriage of flavors aspect), the difference is small.
Posted by BomagATM
Orange Beach, AL
Member since Aug 2011
379 posts
Posted on 1/30/13 at 1:23 pm to
I always used jar roux for the ease and convenience until one day I didn't have any. I spent the next 30 minutes on the phone with my dad while he talked me through a roux from scratch.

So now when I make my own roux, it reminds me of that call and I think it tastes better. It probably doesn't actually taste better, but it sure seems that way.

I don't think most people can tell the difference.
Posted by Darla Hood
Near that place by that other place
Member since Aug 2012
14108 posts
Posted on 1/30/13 at 1:55 pm to
When I think back on how wonderful the smell of roux was when I was growing up ... I should be ashamed for not making my own anymore. I can still picture my mom standing in front of the stove, always reminding me that despite how good the roux smelled, I better not try to taste it. Or touch it, because it was hot, hot, hot!
Posted by Catman88
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since Dec 2004
49125 posts
Posted on 1/30/13 at 2:19 pm to
Why does everyone act like it takes hours to make a good roux? Takes me a max of 10 min. I have always used the Prudhomme method of heat the shite out of it and stir like mad though. I get a very dark roux and have never burned it.

Never have used whats in the jar. Arent the directions such that you add it after the stock or something like that?
Posted by MrsWiggles
Member since Jul 2012
501 posts
Posted on 1/30/13 at 2:26 pm to
I've used a homemade roux and a jar roux.... If using a jar roux I go with kary's for its color.... I also,when making a homemade roux, put it my trinity right about when the roux is done... I continue to stir.... I find as the vegetables cook my roux gets darker.. This is where I'm always careful not to burn my roux and vegetables
Posted by jmtigers
1826.71 miles from USC
Member since Sep 2003
4992 posts
Posted on 1/30/13 at 2:30 pm to
quote:

Why does everyone act like it takes hours to make a good roux? Takes me a max of 10 min.


This. And sometimes you need a blonde roux. So you might as well learn.
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