January 2015
Miso, fermented soybean paste, is rightfully earning appreciation outside of Japan as a delicious, exceptionally beneficial and protective probiotic superfood. It strengthens us, aids digestion, encourages appropriate intestinal flora, and fortifies our immune responses. Miso is a phenomenal gift to humanity. Rich flavors, concentrated food value, storability, and universal benefits indicate that it is a food of the future. Being uniquely delicious, versatile, very, very easy for our bodies to assimilate, and a true comfort food, are values that make it a providential food.
As miso ferments toward maturity, nutritional components are rendered into forms that require very little energy from us in order to be assimilated. Proteins are broken down into amino acids and carbohydrates into simple sugars. Miso provides beneficial bacteria, iron, B vitamins, potassium, and essential fatty acids (omega 3, 6, & 9). Beneficial enzymes, vitamins, and an array of phytonutrients are created as miso ages. Miso is five times higher in protective isoflavones than unfermented soy food. The trypsin inhibitor in soybeans is also dismantled by fermentation allowing full and easy utilization of the protein. The valued, sought after characteristics of miso result only after long, slow fermentation of whole soybeans and grain. Eden Foods has promoted and extolled these time-honored traditional methods for 45 years in North America.
Only a small percentage of miso in Japan today is made in the wisely patient, traditional way. Organic EDEN Misos are a significant portion of them. Commercial, designed to make money misos are cheaply and quickly made out of genetically engineered, hexane-defatted soy and pharmaceutical enzymes. These cheap pseudo-misos tend to contain many undeclared and inappropriate chemical processing aids and flavor enhancers like monosodium glutamate (MSG).
Artisan Craftsmanship
The variety of miso is surprisingly wide ranging. Its taste and other sensual characteristics result from variations in choosing beans, grains, and other ingredients; although soybeans with barley, rice, wheat, millet, and buckwheat are most common. Regionally unique microbiology, technique, climate, and use of secondary ingredients results in an abundance of miso varieties and characteristics.
Following our mentors' guidance provided in the late 1960s, Eden Foods selected four misos to provide in North America — 1. EDEN Genmai (brown rice) Miso is mellow, sweet, and golden. 2. Mugi (barley) Miso is full-bodied and good year-round. 3. Hacho Miso the heartiest, richest, and oldest is aged three years. 4. Shiro (white rice) Miso the sweetest and lightest is aged for only two months. Each of them has enjoyed broad popularity for over eight centuries.
EDEN misos are made in Japan from U.S.A. family farm Non-GMO, whole organic soybeans and grain, the finest sea salt, and koji Aspergillus oryzae, a vitamin B-12 synthesizing culture starter. Soybeans and grain are prepared, steamed, inoculated with koji, salted, and aged in 200-year-old wooden kegs under the pressure of large river stones piled on top of their lids. An amazing transformation takes place in these giant kegs as time, temperature, and pressure, with the help of koji, create the wonderful food that is miso.
Supreme Comfort & Superb Seasoning
Miso is a most intelligent addition to anyone's diet. It nourishes while cleansing and is a supreme ‘comfort food’. Miso soup is the easiest way to enjoy miso and sea vegetables. Miso is a superb seasoning that adds depth of character and soothing nourishment to grain, noodle, and vegetable soups and stews. Miso is also a prefect enhancement for sauces, gravies, spreads, dips, salad dressings, marinades, beans, vegetables, noodles, seafood, meats, poultry, and more. For creativity provoking ideas and dozens of free miso recipes visit edenfoods.com.
All EDEN Miso is made by remarkable people at small manufacturers using traditional artisan techniques handed down through the centuries. This miso contains absolutely no chemical additives of any kind and utilize non-GMO, organic whole soybeans. Organic EDEN Genmai and EDEN Shiro Miso are Gluten Free. All are packaged in double-bagged re-closable standing pouches. Explore and discover your favorite for different times of the year. 
