Miso has been used as a flavouring ingredient for over 2,000 years in Japan and the Orient and is one of the world’s most important foods derived from soya. It combines the goodness of soya beans with a fermentation process resulting in a nutritious and highly beneficial seasoning. The versatility of miso is increased by the variety of types and colours available, leading to miso being used in sauces, soups, marinades, dressings and dips.
Miso is a soya based paste that is made by mixing cooked soy beans, salt, grain, such as barley or rice and a starter culture (koji). The many varieties are classified by colour - the darker miso, which has been aged longer, has a stronger, more savoury flavour, whilst the lighter white and yellow misos tend to be less salty, even adding subtle sweet notes in certain circumstances.
Whilst one cannot claim that miso is low in salt or sodium, it can be used to aid salt replacement because the flavour is stronger than that of salt and when combined with other ingredients can have a synergistic effect resulting in less sodium being necessary to achieve the desired flavour.
Our miso is produced by Miyako Oriental Foods under the ‘Cold Mountain’ Brand and is made from organic soy beans to guarantee a non-gm ingredient. We currently offer six types of miso, in both paste and freeze dried forms for industrial use, the details of which are below. We are also able to provide Black Soybean paste and powder.
Varieties of Miso
Light Yellow Miso
- Typical Japanese style, with a light and refreshing aroma.
Red Miso
- Typical Japanese style, reddish brown in colour, with a rich, savoury note.
Mellow White Miso
- Hawaiian style, with a rich, delicate flavour with a subtle sweet note.
Mellow Red Miso
- Hawaiian style, with a deep semi-sweet flavour and rich fragrance.
Kyoto White Miso
- With 60% less sodium, this variety has sweetness and a light fragrance.
Kyoto Red Miso
- With 60% less sodium, the flavour is rich and deep, with a savoury aroma.
Black Bean Paste
- Typical Japanese style black bean ingredient, slightly lighter than Chinese.
Some Benefits of Miso
Miso is an excellent vegetarian protein and can boost the usable protein of other foods
- Miso accentuates savoury flavours, helping with salt reduction
- Miso is low fat, low calorie and helps to alkalise the blood
- Miso aids digestion and the assimilation of nutrients