Where To Find Miso Paste In Grocery Store?

Since Japanese cuisine has taken the world by storm, miso paste has become a popular item worldwide. Whether you are making ramen, or miso soup you will need miso paste. Finding miso paste in the grocery store can be quite difficult. You might keep wondering where to find miso paste in grocery store.

Miso paste can be found in the refrigerated section. Depending on stores, the storage location can vary. It is found in the international aisle in most U.S regional stores. In big supermarkets, miso paste can be found in the produce area with tofu, mock meats, or tempeh.

Depending on the type of grocery store that you are shopping from, the placement of miso paste can vary. It can be quite difficult to aimlessly look for this ingredient. With the right insight and idea about miso paste, you can easily locate it in the grocery stores.

Where Is Miso Paste Kept In Grocery Stores

The placement of miso paste depends upon the type of store that it is in. Usually, miso paste can be found in the refrigerator aisle with all the other refrigerated items. For regional stores, it can be found in the international aisle. It can also be in the produce aisle with the organic or natural foods section.

It is completely fine if you are still confused about locating miso paste in the grocery store. Even though it is a popular ingredient in recent times, all courtesy of the popularization of Japanese and Korean cuisine across the world, however, a lot of different shops fail to understand the nature of this ingredient and place it wrongly.

Miso paste can be placed according to its type. Generally, this ingredient being an international product it is more common to find it in the international aisle. Make sure you target looking into the Japanese section if there is a separate one. You can also find it in the Asian section.

If miso is produced locally, you can easily find miso paste in the produce aisle. It is kept with the ingredients that it is popularly cooked with, which include- tofu, mock meats, or tempeh. Look among the organic and natural products isle as it can be placed there too, depending on the grocery store where you are shopping from.

You may look around for shelf-stable miso paste or the aisle-fresh one. These two ingredients are also quite simple to look around. With the right knowledge about them, you can easily find these ingredients in the store.

Finding Aisle-Fresh Miso Paste

Aisle-fresh miso paste is a product that is freshly made and put out in the aisle. You can find this ingredient in the produce section where the store generally stores the freshly produced ingredients.

If you are looking for freshly made miso paste then it is your best option to purchase. The quality and taste may vary from one shop to another. Irrespective of that, aisle-fresh miso paste is a great addition to your recipe. You can easily find this product in the produce aisle where the freshly made products are stored.

Finding Shelf-Stable Miso Paste

The shelf-stable miso paste can be found in the international aisle of the grocery shop. They are usually placed with items that are commonly bought together. If there are specified regions in the grocery store then it is usually placed in the Japanese section next to kimchi, ramen, seaweed, etc.

Shelf-stable miso paste is great for storing on the shelves. They come with a defined shelf life. So, if you can not find the miso paste that you are looking for in the refrigerators or coolers of the store, make sure to check the international aisle with Japanese items.

Types Of Miso Paste To Buy

Miso pastes come in several different varieties. There are more than 1,000 types of miso-paste variations. The most commonly used miso pastes are- white miso, red miso, yellow miso, and mixed miso paste.

Miso paste is a widely used ingredient in recent times. However, many of us are not completely aware of what this product is. In simple words, miso paste is a naturally fermented soybean paste. The name of this paste comes from the Japanese word “miso”. It is widely used in making soups and sauces.

As the paste gets darker and the longer it ages to get fermented, the different its flavor gets. The differences in the miso paste also come from the ingredients that are used to make this product. The paste is full of gut-healthy probiotics, and minerals, full of protein, and vitamins such as vitamin- B12.

White Miso Paste

White miso paste is commonly made with a higher portion of rice as compared to soybean. It is also called Shiro miso. It is a fermented paste made from rice, soybeans, and barley.

White miso paste is the most commonly produced type of all the other miso pastes. It originates from Kyoto. The flavor of white miso paste comprises a mild umami flavor. It also has a mellow, nutty sweetness. This is the most beginner-friendly miso paste to try out. If you are a beginner at buying miso paste, it is a great option for you.

Yellow Miso Paste

Yellow miso paste is made from the fermentation of soybeans with barley. Often a small portion of rice is also used. The fermentation done with barley brings in yellow color, and that is why it is called yellow miso paste.

The flavor of yellow miso paste is quite rich. This variation has a mild earthy flavor to it. It is generally used in making soups, marinades, and in glazes. It is also used in condiments popularly. You can keep the yellow miso paste in your pantry to use for different recipes.

Red Miso Paste

Red miso paste is made from an ample number of soybeans. The fermentation process of red miso is usually longer than other types of miso pastes. As a result, the color of this miso paste ranges from red, dark brown, and even black depending on the fermentation process.

In Japan, the red miso paste is often called “Aka Miso”. The flavor of red miso is saltier than either one of white or yellow miso pastes. The flavor is more intense because it has more soybeans. It is excellent to use for adding complex flavors to stews, soups, meat, curries, and other forms of savory dishes. It is the must-have item in your pantry for savory recipes.

Mixed Miso Paste

Mixed miso paste is made from the combination of both red and white miso paste. It is a perfect balance between the two variations of miso pastes.

This miso paste is commonly referred to as “Awase Miso” in Japan. The flavor is a medium between savory and sweet. The white miso paste gives off the sweet flavor while the red miso paste adds the savory and salty flavor. This is also an exciting item to add to your pantry to use in different broths, ramen soup, curries, etc.

Miso Paste Recommendations

Miso paste is getting increasingly popular in the current world. It is an ingredient that can be used in various savory dishes to enhance their flavor. Even though it originates from Japan, miso paste is popularly used by both chefs and home cooks throughout the world.

You might get confused about using miso paste for your desired recipes. It can be especially difficult for you if you are a beginner in this area. However, you can easily differentiate between one alternative from the other when you attain the right inputs and knowledge about them. A recommendation chart is added as follows to help you in selecting miso pastes.

You can still look for more alternatives if you want. Make sure you know the requirements and the purpose of purchasing the miso paste. Also, make sure to read the instructions for using the procedure on the label. In that way, you can easily select the miso paste that you are looking for to best suit your recipes.

Storage of Miso Paste

Once the miso paste container is opened, it should be refrigerated and stored there to ensure the best quality and freshness. Miso paste can also be stored on a shelf as it has a good shelf-life. However, it is recommended to store the miso paste in the refrigerator after closing the container appropriately.

You might think that miso paste is already a fermented product, so it can not go bad. It is a widely mistaken concept. Yes, miso paste can go bad. You must be careful to store it in a cool place away from direct contact with a heat source.

The flavor of the miso paste may change over time. So, it is highly recommended to keep it in a cool place. The good news is that miso paste generally has a great shelf life, so that is a thing you don’t have to worry too much about. When stored properly, miso paste can stay good for about a year.

Now that you know all about- where to buy miso paste in the grocery store, use all your creativity and skills to bring out the best savory dish by using miso paste. Make sure to add this item to your pantry. Ultimately, adding miso paste to your recipe is a game-changer for your food.