Salted Soy Beans

What is it?
Black beans are black soy beans that are salted and then fermented. This makes them soft and somewhat dry. The taste is strong, very spicy and salty. In some variants, large pieces of ginger are added, making the beans a bit more spicy, citrussy.

How to use?
First rinse under running water. Then coarsely chop, depending on recipe or personal preference, into a mortar or a combination thereof.
Often together with chopped garlic, Shaoxing rice wine and some sugar.
Always stir-fry / fry / steam, raw it is not tasty. And beware, do not think "nice, I just use some extra black beans". You can really kill a dish because of salt.
The dry, black beans can be kept practically indefinitely in a dry place.

Source: Robin's website about Aziatische ingrediënten.