Why Are Good Teriyaki Sauces Either Hard to Find or Overpriced?

Have you ever tried making a teriyaki dish at home? If so, you probably know how tricky it can be to find the right teriyaki sauce. Right? You navigate many stores and see rows of bottles, all promising bold flavour and authentic taste. But after trying a few sauces, you may realize that many are either too sweet or too salty. And the ones that actually taste good usually come with a pretty high price tag. So, what’s going on? Why is it so hard to find a good teriyaki sauce without paying a high price? 

This article comes with a close look at why good teriyaki sauces are either hard to find or overpriced. So, let’s know everything.

Ingredients Difference 

One of the reasons why the best teriyaki sauces are so expensive is due to their high-quality ingredients. High-quality teriyaki sauces are made from premium ingredients that are often difficult to find in typical sauces. For example, real soy sauce is brewed naturally over time because it has natural, quality ingredients. However, if the sauce has chemical-based ingredients or artificial flavours, it lacks taste and feels more processed. That’s why sauces made with better ingredients often cost more and taste better. 

All Teriyaki Sauces Are Not Made Equally 

Teriyaki sauces may seem simple – just a mix of soy sauce, sugar, and perhaps a few extra ingredients like ginger or garlic. But getting that perfect balance is harder than it looks. Some brands focus on adding too much sweetness, while others go heavy on the salt. A true teriyaki sauce offers a perfect balance of slight sweetness, a hint of saltiness, and a rich umami flavour. And do you know that many mass-produced sauces are made to last on a shelf for a long time? That means they include preservatives or cheaper ingredients to lower production costs. This can make the sauce less tasty and artificial. 

Produced By Local, Smaller Brands 

The sauces produced by local or smaller brands are often made with care and attention to quality. Unlike large factories, where sauces are produced in large batches with little focus on quality, smaller brands typically take their time. They produce teriyaki sauces in small batches with the right and fresh, high-quality ingredients. Small brands don’t produce in bulk, so their prices are usually higher. But when their sauces taste better and feel like homemade, they’re often worth the price. You get richer flavours, fewer artificial additives, and the comfort of knowing someone really cared about making it. 

Regional Taste and Shipping Costs

Many premium and authentic teriyaki sauces are imported from Japan or made using traditional Japanese ingredients. And because of shipping, taxes, and distributor fees, teriyaki sauces from overseas often cost more by the time they reach store shelves. Even if the sauce itself is not that expensive in Japan, the extra cost of getting it to another country quickly adds up. This is one reason why some of the most authentic sauces are expensive. 

Marketing Price 

Another reason some teriyaki sauces are so expensive is due to the added marketing cost. Some brands in Canada spend a lot on packaging, design, and advertising in order to appear fancy or premium. All of that branding adds to the final price. You might be paying more for the way the bottle looks. However, there are some times when the product is truly high-quality. But other times, it’s just clever marketing. So, before you spend a lot of money on the sauce, be sure to check the ingredients and whether they’re worth paying for or not. 

These are some of the reasons why teriyaki sauces in Canada come with a higher price tag. 

What to Look For When Buying a Teriyaki Sauce? 

Even if you shop from a reputable store or brand, how will you make sure that the teriyaki sauce is the best and made with quality ingredients? So, to save yourself from spending your money on the wrong product, be sure to consider the following things:

• Carefully Read the Ingredients: Before you buy, ensure to check the ingredients list. The ingredients must be real and wholesome—no added preservatives or artificial flavours. 

• Ensure the Right Amount of Sugar or Salt is Used: High sugar or salt content can ruin the balance of teriyaki sauce. Some brands use sugar to make the sauce taste better, while others go with salt to boost flavour. However, using any of these in large amounts can overpower the dish. That’s why you must check that the right amount of sugar or salt is used to make the sauce. 

• Read Customer Reviews: The best way to judge the sauce quality is to read customer reviews from those who have purchased it. They often share honest opinions about the taste, texture, and whether it meets the brand’s claims.

Final Thoughts 

So, do you now get why teriyaki sauces in Canada are so expensive? Be it a production cost, importing cost, or marketing cost, there are various factors that add to the final price of the sauce. 

A good teriyaki sauce is easily available everywhere in Canada, but it takes a little effort to find the right and quality one. With a little search, you can find sauces that are made with better ingredients, have balanced flavours, and are worth the price.