MISO -- Japanese traditional food

“MISO” -- Have you ever heard the Japanese word, MISO ? What is MISO?

Can you guess what it is? “FERMENTED” is a food process using fermenting power by the action of microbe (or microorganism). Cheeses and yogurts are worldwide well-known foods represent as fermented ones, and here are a few more examples for your reference. Tequila: Mexican drink based fermented blue agave, Sauerkraut: Fermented cabbage, Anchovies: Fermented small fish, Nata de Coco: Fermented coconuts cream.

MISO is one of Japanese traditional fermented foods, same as SAKE, SHOYU, NATTO (fermented soy beans), and NUKAZUKE (Rice bran Pickles).

PHOTO 1: Soybeans and MISO

MISO is one of commonly used ingredients for Japanese cuisine, however origin of MISO was brought in from China around 8 centuries, and introduced to Japanese cuisine. Nowadays, it is one of “Super Foods” and very rich in nutrition. And benefits of MISO are often said the preventive agent for cancer, high blood pressure, dementia, and postmenopausal syndrome.

MISO used to be made at home using each family’s recipe and keeping original taste, because making MISO is very simple, using salts, soy beans or barley fermented with the all-round wonder grain (KOJI) and store it at cool and dark places for some time. Depending the length of fermentation, (minimum 3-6 months, and maximum will be several years) the flavors greatly vary. But it becomes common to go and buy MISO at various distribution channels.

PHOTO 2: Variety of MISO

PHOTO 2 depicts a variety of MISO, difference based on the materials (rice, barley, difference in color, and difference in salty/sweetness and the length. Each plate gives handy hints for cooking.

Now, MISO becomes very popular among western world, in particular, through French chefs MISO is getting known and increase its visibility among the gastronomy.

By any chance, if you are interested in MISO, and trying to taste by yourself, please go to MISO specialty stores. One of them is Sano-Miso and the following URL Only in Japanese language available as follows (https://sanomiso.com/omotenasi/) 70 kinds of MISO are collected from all over Japan, and you can taste at their EAT-In corner. Let's enjoy the new taste of MISO.

PHOTO 3 & 4: EAT-IN (Selection of MISO SOUP, RICE and side dishes)

By Yukiko

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