Fermented bean question for Paul

Paul, please advise on purchase of fermented beans. Looking at the options in the link you provided but am overwhelmed. Can you give some tips on differences, what to look for, vacuum pack vs jar, specific brand? I imagine that options relate to specific taste needs and I certainly do not use them often enough to sample all the options.
Thx

Christina, if you're asking about Sichuan fermented broad bean chili paste (douban jiang), take a look at this page on the Mala Project website: http://themalaproject.com/pixian-chili-bean-paste-douban-jiang/. There are pictures of some of the recommended brands there.

If you're talking about fermented black beans, the brand I prefer comes in a yellow cardboard cylindrical container. Look for Yang Jiang on the label--that is the city in Guangdong Province that makes the best fermented black beans.

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