When we journey via Japan we like to focus in on native delicacies and what every area grows and produces. Nagano produces virtually half of Japans miso so we made certain we included a while at Iishi Miso in Matsumoto on a current keep within the metropolis.
Eating native is a good way to study a area whereas additionally supporting the native economic system. Searching out the smaller eating places and producers additionally means we get to find scrumptious eats and drinks alongside the best way.
What is miso?
Miso is a scrumptious fermented flavour paste. It is the principal ingredient in miso soup and it’s used as a seasoning in different dishes. Like many fermented meals, miso is filled with essential vitamins and intestine pleasant good micro organism.
The miso paste is constituted of soybeans, salt and a starter. The recipe itself may be very easy however it’s within the fermation and time the place the magic occurs. The starter for miso fermentation is known as the malt, much like beer. In miso manufacturing that malt is ready most frequently with a grain corresponding to rice, barley, or beans.
At yr one the miso is a creamy color (shiro miso), a caramel brown on the finish of yr two and by yr three it’s a deep wealthy purple (aka miso). The flavour intensifies and refines because it progresses within the fermentation course of however everybody has their favorite and for some makes use of white miso is most popular. For me that 3 yr miso was a scrumptious flavour explosion.
History of Miso in Japan
In Japan at this time miso soup is consumed virtually each day by many of the inhabitants. It really is a cultural treasure with its prepartion and consumption courting again to the seventh century when it reserved for the the Aristocracy.
In the thirteenth century Buddhist monks started to organize miso as soup and it turned a each day staple within the monestaries plant primarily based weight loss plan. Soon these working the land additionally ready miso for their very own consumption.
Then within the warring states interval (14th and fifteenth century) feudal warlords embraced miso to feed their armies in preparation for victory in battle. Many regional variations developed throughout this time.
It wasn’t till the seventeenth century that the Miso trade grew and Japans inhabitants began to make use of it extra extensively. Today it’s uncommon for folks to organize their very own miso paste from scratch though like sourdough it may be accomplished with sufficient motivation and persistence.
Why is Iishi Miso in Matsumoto value visiting?
Iishi Miso ferment their product utilizing conventional strategies. Less than 10% of Miso producers nonetheless do, the bulk now use mass manufacturing and compelled fermentation.
Nagano has a cool, dry local weather and contemporary spring water which makes it ideally suited to miso manufacturing. These components imply the standard is great and the flavour wealthy and scrumptious which explains why Nagano is answerable for 46% of Japans miso manufacturing.
Iishi Miso is likely one of the few producers the place you may go to, take a tour of the manufacturing facility to find out how it’s made and take a look at the product in its numerous types. English talking guests are welcomed and there are each day excursions additionally in English obtainable.
Visiting Iishi Miso
You have two choices if you wish to go to, you may go on an organised tour that features lunch, the tour and a pack of goodies or you may go to independently. If you might be heading alongside by yourself we do nonetheless advocate reserving a meal a few days forward of time on their web site. It will make sure you get the total expertise and we want we had identified to try this.
A storehouse is open to the general public the place you may see the fermentation setup. This is an possibility if there is not a tour to affix on the time you might be there. The free English tour often runs twice a day round 11am and 1.30pm. There are info boards in English too.
There are three storehouses. The first with the yr one miso ferment taking place is the place they maintain the excursions. The subsequent warehouse is nearly 100 years previous and holds the 2nd yr miso. The ultimate storehouse is used for the yr 3 miso and delivery however is not open to the general public.
Lunch is offered from 11am – 2pm and the excursions are additionally in that timeslot so that’s the window of time you might be aiming for when planning out your day.
Our expertise at Iishi Miso Factory
We initially thought we would not be capable of do a tour on the day we went as a result of their English talking information was away. It was disappointing however we might nonetheless attempt the miso and purchase some to take dwelling. The merchandise on the market within the store are processed and sealed so we had no issues declaring it once we introduced it again into Australia.
While we have been within the store the ladies who had been speaking to us noticed somebody passing and he agreed to point out us round. It turned out to be their director, Kosuke Iishi, who’s the sixth era of the household to run the enterprise because it began in 1868. He speaks fluent English and we have been very grateful to be taught a lot about miso, how it’s made and the historical past of the household enterprise from him.
We weren’t conscious of the pre-booking course of so we did not have the choice of the total set menu within the restaurant that day. There was an off-the-cuff eating possibility although and we did get to attempt the 3-year miso within the hearty pork miso soup which was scrumptious and the miso icecream is offered at any time.
I purchased 2 pots of the 3-year miso and deliberate to attempt making the homestyle miso onigiri and miso gyoza that I missed out on that day once I bought dwelling. I had made my very own variations of each earlier than so I had some thought the place to start out though I did find yourself consuming most of it as soup.
Getting to Iishi Miso
You might want to discover your option to the Iishi Miso premises even if you’re doing the organised tour because it does not embrace resort pickup. Matsumoto is a really walkable metropolis, actually its how we at all times get round and the manufacturing unit is only one.3km from the station so a 15-20 minute stroll.
Matsumoto additionally has city sneaker buses which might be distinctive by their Yoyoi Kusama impressed dots and that may cut back the gap you stroll. Either pay the fare as you go or get a day move.
Most doubtless you will be coming from, or headed to, one other vacation spot after lunch so for reference it is a couple of 5 minute stroll from the Matsumoto Museum of Art or a 20-25 minute stroll to Matsumoto Castle.
The services do not have apparent branding, not in English anyway so I’ll embrace a photograph right here so you’ve got the precise place.
Google Maps are correct so simply put in both Iishi Miso or 1 Chome-8-1 Uzuhashi, Matsumoto.
This is a foodie targeted addition to a Matsumoto itinerary however when you determine to deal with your style buds to a cease on the miso brewery we hope you benefit from the expertise as a lot as we did.
Other prime experiences whereas in Nagano embrace a go to to the snow monkeys, having fun with winter snow sports activities at Habuka or Iiyama and exploring Matsumoto Castle, extensively thought to be one of many prime 3 castles in Japan.
