
Anchovy essence is a brown or pink, thick, oily sauce, consisting of pounded anchovies, spices such as black pepper or cayenne pepper, and sometimes wine. It is used as a flavoring for soups, sauces, and other dishes since at least the 19th century. It has been called a British equivalent of Asian fish sauce.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Ward, Artemas (1911). "The Grocer's Encyclopedia". The Grocer's Encyclopedia.