What’s the Difference Between White, Yellow, and Red Miso?
More and more of us are discovering what a fantastic ingredient concentrated miso paste can be in our daily cooking – and not just for soup! Happily, many major stores have caught on and are starting to carry a variety of traditional misos to choose from. There are different types of misos and each is made from soybeans that have been fermented with either rice, barley or other grains. The real question is: how to choose? Read on…
To be completely honest with you, we found a lot of conflicting information about the different types of miso and how they’re actually different. Below is a summary of what we understand about the most common types of miso now found on the market in the United States – but if you’re a miso expert, please chime in and educate us!
White vs Yellow vs Red
White Miso: This miso is made from soybeans that have been fermented with a large percentage of rice. The actual resulting color can range from white to light beige, and the miso has a definite sweet taste. It’s best used in condiments like mayo or salad dressings, or in light sauces.
Yellow Miso: Yellow miso is usually made from soybeans that have been fermented with barley and sometimes a small percentage of rice. It can be yellow to light brown in color. This miso has a mild, earthy flavor and is better for general use in not only condiments, but soups, marinades, and glazes.
Red Miso: This is also typically made from soybeans fermented with barley or other grains, though with a higher percentage of soybeans and/or a longer fermentation period. It can range in color from red to dark brown. The deep umami flavor of red miso can overwhelm mild dishes, but is perfect for hearty soups, braises, and glazes.
What is Black Miso?
Black Miso: Our information on black miso isn’t entirely clear. Some sources say this paste is made entirely from soybeans, others say that it’s made from soybeans fermented with hearty dark grains like buckwheat. Regardless, this sounds like the strongest flavored miso around (the descriptions remind us a bit of
marmite
In a Nutshell
The depth of color with any particular miso can also tell you something about its flavor. Generally speaking, the darker the color, the longer it’s been fermented and the stronger it will taste. Both yellow and red misos can sometimes be labeled “barley miso,” so check the actual color of the paste for an indication of how mild or strong it is.
What kind of miso do you generally cook with?
(Image: Flickr member adactio licensed under Creative Commons)