You can also use fermented black beans or black bean sauce in stir-fry dishes. Fermented black beans are normally rinsed before being used in cooking, otherwise they will impart too much of a salty flavour to the dish. Often you will find recipes calling for the beans to be mashed with garlic
Also known as Chinese black beans or salty or salted black beans, they have a very strong, salty flavor and are generally soaked in warm water for 30 minutes before using. Fermented black beans are NOT also known as black bean sauce, although you can substitute the sauce for the beans in a pinch