Frequently Asked Questions

MISO is a Japanese
Seasoning. The Japanese word MISO translates as “soup” or
"Paste." In Japan, miso is often referred to as a "gift from the gods."
MISO is best known for its MISO soup – the morning broth,
in between meals and in the evening. MISO is in Japan what olive oil is in Italy
or butter in France. It is a seasoning with added value and for
all possible uses in the kitchen - seasoning, seasoning,
Refine and bind vinegar/oil. The taste is known in modern German as
"Umami", the legendary fifth taste besides bitter,
salty, sweet and sour. When buying, always pay attention to the best quality and
Regionality. More information about MISO and what aspects you should consider when buying MISO
What you need to consider can be found here. What is MISO paste? MISO paste is the
Seasoning behind the MISO soup. After making MISO, a
pasty food called miso paste.

Traditionally, rice is cooked and then inoculated with a fermentation culture. After three days at warm temperatures and high humidity, the precursor, koji, is created. This precursor is then mixed with a cooked legume (soy or lupin) and salt. The miso paste then matures in a barrel for at least 6 to 24 months and is then packaged for you.

Depending on the salt content, MISO
between a few weeks and several years in barrels. We at
Black Forest MISO guarantees at least 6-24 months of maturation.

Our MISO pastes are made according to the
Fermentation freeze-dried, this creates our MISO powder.

Our MISO pastes are
deep-frozen and then the water is removed under vacuum.
high-quality and expensive drying processes, all ingredients remain
present. The final product is therefore of raw food quality.

Our MISO has a
Salt content between 4% and 12% and can therefore be stored for a very long time,
Basically until the best before date (BBD) is reached, which is printed on the back bottom left of each package.

Before opening, the miso paste can be stored in the pantry. After opening, it must be kept cool.
be stored.

Miso paste
is due to the high salt content and the fermentation at a cooled
Storage: Can be stored for years after opening.

Due to its salt content, miso can be frozen, and the paste remains pasty.
Lifehack: Frozen miso paste in a bag can be used as a cooling pad
become.

Transferring to glass jars is generally possible – please ensure strict kitchen hygiene. We do not recommend transferring to glass jars, as we can only guarantee the very high product quality until the expiration date in our high-quality stand-up pouch.

No. Both products have
average best before date of 2 years. The MISO paste must be stored in
the refrigerator and the MISO powder in the spice rack. Please
Close the container again using the lid as soon as possible after use.
Too much humidity can cause the powder to stick together.

Our recommendation is “in
In conjunction with water, always use the MISO paste. Since in this
In some applications the paste is significantly more efficient than the MISO powder. Except in
“to go” situations, in the office, at the campsite, on a hiking tour – here
We recommend using the MISO powder as a base for a quick soup or
MISO Drink. For marinating vegetables or meat, we also recommend the
Paste, as the taste and consistency are improved more than
The powder has its strength as a table spice: a quick,
dry seasoning that doesn't need to be touched.

Sure – that’s what it’s there for. It
enhances the natural taste of all foods and gives a
round, balanced taste that can otherwise only be achieved by boiling
bones or the slow cooking of leftover vegetables. In modern German, this is
called umami, the fifth taste.

Absolutely! The great thing about MISO is,
that it evenly enhances the taste of all ingredients and therefore in the truest sense
The taste is refined in the truest sense of the word. MISO can do this without
to the foreground, as is often the case with industrial seasonings of the
case is.

There are few seasonings that
as incredibly good for marinating as miso. It makes meat
incredibly tender & flavorful and the meat becomes easier to digest.
Tofu and tempeh also have an exceptional taste.

Use sparingly. We recommend 1-2 teaspoons per 1/8 liter of liquid for the paste and 1/2 teaspoon for the miso powder.
for the same intensity of seasoning.

Can you use too much miso paste?

The taste
of MISO should never be noticeable when seasoning. Only in a clear MISO soup
or MISO drink we enjoy the unique taste of the paste.

Can miso replace salt?

When using MISO, you don't need to add any additional salt - in sauces, soups and marinades.

Can you cook with less fat using miso?

With MISO you can make many dishes
be prepared in a healthier or lower-fat way without losing any taste
suffer.

Tip: Use lupin miso powder as vegan parmesan.

After cooking, please
Unless you want to cook something in a miso broth, then add it beforehand.

MISO is a seasoning with
Added value. Traditionally produced miso is considered very healthy. Our miso
contains selected, best organic raw materials, which are whole bean
As well as traditional craftsmanship in conjunction with
with a natural maturation process, the prerequisites are that the often
cited - exceptionally positive - properties occur.

Miso has between 8.5 g and 13 g of protein per 100 g and is therefore permitted under the EU Health Claim Regulation.
The label “high protein” appears on the packaging.

Miso has between 3 g and 5 g of fiber per 100 g and is therefore permitted under the EU Health Claim Regulation
carry the addition “source of fiber” on the packaging.

As a fermented product
MISO significantly supports digestion, so it can be consumed without restriction
recommended for weight loss and dieting.

Does it support muscle building and regeneration in competitive sports?

Due to its high protein content and fiber content, MISO is considered the ideal seasoning for all
health-conscious consumers.

MISO is considered an ideal seasoning for competitive sports. Due to its balanced mix of proteins,
Fiber and amino acids make it suitable for daily nutrition.

Fermented products are
fundamentally a positive contribution to cell protection and cell repair
suggested. Proteins, fiber, and amino acids support this.

Does regular consumption of MISO have an anti-aging effect?

Science assumes that fermented foods have many positive properties.
Supplying the body with essential amino acids provides a
valuable contribution to being as fit as possible for as long as possible.

The balanced and natural
balanced mix of proteins, fiber and amino acids from
Fermented foods are able to stimulate the human immune system in
to support his activities.

Does MISO lower cholesterol?

Only if the increased
Cholesterol level was caused by an unhealthy diet (i.e. not hereditary
due to factors such as weight, cholesterol, and blood sugar, a change to a healthier diet can
permanently. In this context, MISO can be used as a healthy seasoning
make a contribution to this.

Essentially, every packaging material has its advantages and disadvantages. Plastic is lightweight, saves large amounts of packaging material, is completely shatterproof, and very easy to recycle.

In the long term, we want to offer our MISO products to as many customers as possible in their preferred packaging. Therefore, we are open to the possibility of additional bottling in glass jars in the future. Unfortunately, bottling in glass jars currently incurs very high additional costs and requires complex planning.

For sustainability reasons, we do not use a resealable bag with a zip closure or a plastic dosing dispenser. Our bags are preferably cut open at one corner (pay attention to the marking on the back of the packaging), and then the paste can be squeezed out. The product can be hygienically resealed using a clip or paper clip (not included). At the end of use, the packaging can be completely emptied using a dough scraper and then returned to the recycling cycle.

We currently offer our MISO paste in a high-quality, German-made stand-up pouch, as well as our MISO powder in glass jars. We do not currently offer larger packaging sizes.

Our MISO paste is pasteurized. Our MISO powder, however, is unpasteurized. The freeze-drying process allows us to dry our MISO paste at temperatures below 42 degrees Celsius, thus ensuring raw-food-quality MISO. We're very proud of this.

Pasteurization is not required for home production for personal consumption. It can also be omitted for direct sales within a local area. For nationwide shipping and further processing in many restaurants, as well as for deliveries to brick-and-mortar stores, pasteurization is unfortunately required for liability reasons. Many retailers buy "unpasteurized" miso in Japan and label their products as "unpasteurized," but they forget that the average temperature in shipping containers is well over 42 degrees Celsius.

Our MISO powders are freeze-dried below 42 degrees Celsius and are therefore unpasteurized. They are a perfect alternative for anyone who wants to avoid plastic and pasteurization. Our MISO powders are raw food quality.

Schwarzwald-MISO feels responsible towards its environment and society. We also use organic raw materials in our production. Our MISO production is powered entirely by hydropower, generated locally at the Rheinfelden hydroelectric power plant.

Our production is powered 100% by electricity from the Rheinfelden hydroelectric power plant, so we operate CO2-neutrally in terms of energy consumption.

Our parcels are shipped throughout Germany in a CO2-neutral manner using the DHL goGreen label.

By producing MISO pastes in-house in Germany, large amounts of CO2 are saved compared to imports from Japan.

Our BIOLAND soybeans grow locally on Lake Constance. They are certified 100% GMO-free.

Our BIOLAND lupins grow in Germany.

We source our organic rice from a selected wholesaler who imports the organic rice directly from the Italian Po Valley.

We source our organic barley from a dealer; it is grown on the eastern shore of Lake Constance.

Directly from the Lauteracher Alb-Feld-Früchte producer association in Lauterbach. ALB lentils and ALB buckwheat are grown together in one field.

We use ancient sea salt and purchase it directly from the producer in Germany. This salt is unbleached and guaranteed free of microplastics.

Our Barley MISO and our Barley MISO Powder contain gluten. Our MISO Intense also contains barley miso. This is a warning for those who have to avoid gluten (celiac disease).

Our lupin miso and our lupin miso powder are soy-free. We're also developing more and more specialty soy-free miso products. ALB Lentil Buckwheat MISO is also soy-free.

Our MISO pastes are 100% alcohol-free. Unlike imported MISO (up to 3% alcohol content, no declaration is required by law), our MISOs are alcohol-free.

Schwarzwald-MISO ships every business day. All orders placed in our online shop before 8:00 a.m. are generally dispatched the same day to our shipping partner DHL.

Yes – Schwarzwald-MISO relies on Deutsche Post, Germany's most popular parcel service. Our MISOs are shipped CO2-neutrally with DHL goGreen.

You must register with DHL in advance for this service.

Please fill in the address field with the following information:

Packstation:
Field: First name / Last name: Max Mustermann
Field: Address extension: Customer number (= DHL postal number)
Field: Street: PACKSTATION
Field: House number: Number of the DHL PACKSTATION
Field: Postcode/City: Postcode and city of the DHL PACKSTATION

DHL branch/parcel shop:
Please always state POST OFFICE even if it is a DHL parcel shop.
Field: First name / Last name: Max Mustermann
Field: Address extension: Customer number (= DHL postal number)
Field: Street: POST OFFICE
Field: House number: Post office number (3-digit number)
Field: Postcode/City: Postcode and city of the DHL branch

After the package has been handed over to our shipping service provider DHL, an email will be sent to you.

The shipping notification email contains a tracking link. You can track your delivery here.

DHL will then send you an email and ask you to confirm your recipient address again.

Here is the old FAQ:

1. What is MISO actually?

MISO paste is a vegan, fermented spice base traditionally made from soybeans, rice, or barley. All that's needed is water, salt, and A. oryzae – a fermentation culture. After 6–12 months of fermentation in a barrel, the MISO paste is ready and ready to use in the kitchen. We've explained it in more detail here .

Many people are familiar with miso paste primarily from Japanese cuisine—for example, in the form of miso soup. However, it can be used to season practically any type of dish. It naturally provides "umami"—the fifth taste alongside sweet, sour, salty, and bitter, which is often described in this country as pleasantly savory and intense.

1. Is MISO healthy?

Thanks to the finest ingredients and slow fermentation, our Black Forest MISO is extremely nutrient-rich. Fermentation makes the ingredients easier to digest.

With approximately 9 g of protein per 100 g, miso is a great source of protein and also has a high fiber content. Since it contains all essential amino acids, the total amount of available protein can be significantly increased in a miso-based diet.

Compared to alternative seasonings, which often contain artificial flavor enhancers, aromas, and far too much salt, MISO is clearly a better alternative as a seasoning base.

1. And why Black Forest MISO?

When it comes to fruit and vegetables, many people now place a premium on regionality – but most of our seasonings often come from far away. We make Black Forest miso using traditional Japanese methods from regional ingredients. Same taste – just from here!

Organically certified | regional | non-GMO | vegan

At an altitude of 700 meters, our miso paste matures in harmony with the seasons, depending on the ambient temperature. All raw materials are sourced locally – because sustainability and transparency are important to us.

• Our soybeans come from Hilzingen on Lake Constance (Baden-Württemberg, Germany, 20 km from our production site in Geisingen) in Bioland quality directly from the producer.
• The lupins for our unique lupin MISO come from the Wertheim region (Bavaria, Germany), also organically grown, directly from the producer.
• The barley also comes from organic farming in Germany.
• We currently source our rice through wholesalers in Italy, but we are working on switching to purchasing directly from the producer.
• We also use the finest Atlantic sea salt from a small factory in Portugal, where it is lovingly mined by hand. We import directly from the producer. Starting in mid-2020, Luisenhaller Deep Sea Salt will replace Atlantic sea salt.

1. How do I use Black Forest MISO?

You can use Black Forest miso in cooking similarly to stock powder. Simply dissolve 1-2 teaspoons of the paste in a little hot water to avoid lumps, and then add it to your dish at the end to enhance the flavor. Do not cook afterward, as this will impair the flavor. Miso paste always contains salt, so it's best to season at the end and use only salt sparingly during cooking.

We've compiled further information and some links to recipes for you here . We're currently working hard on our own recipe booklet.

1. I have food allergies – can I still enjoy your miso?

All our miso pastes are vegan and lactose-free. Except for our barley miso (and some seasonal varieties), all our miso pastes are also gluten-free. We do not add alcohol to preserve our miso paste. No nuts are processed in our production. Other allergens are, of course, highlighted in our ingredient lists.

1. I'm not a fan of soy products – do you have an alternative for me?

Yes, our unique lupin miso is even completely soy-free! Or you can try our seasoned soy-rice-based varieties—they taste completely different from classic soy miso.

1. How long does Black Forest MISO last and what is the best way to store it?

Our miso pastes have a best-before date of 12 to 18 months after delivery. However, they're still edible after that, as miso is a fermented product. Once opened, it's best to store them in the refrigerator.

1. What sizes of Black Forest MISO are available? / Can I transfer the product?
   

Our MISO is currently available in 220g stand-up pouches. We source this from a high-quality stand-up pouch specifically designed for food. Our best-before date is based on our own long-term testing of our products in stand-up pouches.

Previously, we recommended that our customers transfer our miso pastes into glass jars upon request. After consulting with our food laboratory, we have decided against this practice, as we can only guarantee the highest quality and best-before date for products in their original packaging by conducting our long-term testing series.

1. Where can I buy Black Forest MISO?
   

You can easily order our miso pastes from our online shop. Black Forest MISO is also available in some stores – a current list can be found here .

We apologize for the inconvenience and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Unfortunately, MISO production requires our full attention.

1. How and when will shipping take place?

For shipping addresses in Germany, shipping is ecologically and fairly handled by DHL GoGreen. We currently ship on Mondays and Thursdays – so if you order on the weekend or Wednesday evening, your order will arrive the fastest.

11. Difference between paste and powder - depending on the situation

The paste is an artisanal product. It's very exclusive, can be used for marinating, and is very popular for cooking and experimenting in the kitchen. However, time isn't always available, so we developed the powder. The powder offers greater convenience while maintaining the same high quality (freeze-drying is the highest-quality and most expensive drying process in the world). Especially in "to-go" situations, at work (Miso soup in the office), and in hotels (simply pour over tea water), it's easier to use and dose, and can be more easily integrated into everyday life.