Monosodium glutamate or more popularly known as MSG is a sodium salt of glutamic acid, one of the most common amino acids found in nature. As glutamate, it is present in virtually all foods. You might recognize it by these other names that it goes by: Ajinomoto or Vetsin (Asia and Australia) or Ac'cent (America). When added to food, it's perceived to enhance the natural flavours present, however MSG can't improve bad tasting food or make up for your mom's bad cooking. Simply put, it's a food additive marketed as a flavor enhancer.
Ajinomoto (味の素) is one of the most popular brands of MSG seasoning, it's also the namesake of the Japanese company that makes it. It was first marketed in Japan back in 1909 and was discovered and patented by Kikunae Ikeda. Since then, Ajinomoto (company) has become one of the largest producers/suppliers of MSG, currently producing 33% of the world's supply.
Today, we're going to visit the Ajinomoto Japan web site for some simple and fun paper models. On the site you'll find a shrimp paper craft model (complete with stand and background), and paper hat patterns for a globefish and shrimp. For educators/teachers, this is a very easy and fun paper crafting project that you can get your students to work on. Free download is available at the link below. Have Fun!
Note: To get to the goods, hit on the Enter button to take you to the classroom, on the bottom-right side of the chalkboard click on the scissors icon. The paper craft patterns are in PDF format. The site requires Adobe's Flash Player, if you don't have it installed you can it get for free at Adobe's web site. If you don't want to visit the Ajinomoto web site, click on the alternative link - I've put all the files for free download via Mediafire.
Shrimp - [Download Page] [Download via Mediafire]
