Carwari Organic White Miso Paste 500g
A mild, sweet, naturally fermented white miso paste made from three certified organic ingredients. Unpasteurised and live. Made in Australia by Carwari using traditional Japanese fermentation methods.
White miso (shiro miso) is the mildest and sweetest of the main miso varieties, produced using a shorter fermentation period than red or brown miso. Before fermentation, the soybeans are peeled to remove any residual bitterness from the hull, then combined with a higher ratio of rice koji - the cultured rice that drives fermentation and contributes the characteristic gentle sweetness and aromatic quality of white miso.
The result is a pale, smooth paste with a mellow umami depth, a subtle sweetness, and a clean, slightly tangy finish from the fermentation. It dissolves easily into warm water for miso soup, whisks smoothly into dressings and marinades, and adds a quiet savoury depth to dishes without the more assertive flavour of darker miso varieties.
Carwari's white miso is unpasteurised - the fermentation process has not been halted by heat, meaning the naturally occurring cultures produced during fermentation remain active in the paste. Three ingredients. No additives. No GMO. ACO certified organic.
Carwari is a Sydney-based food company founded around 45 years ago, originally to supply traditional Middle Eastern products including tahini. They incorporated Japanese fermentation techniques and products into their range from 2006, applying the same philosophy of quality ingredients and minimal processing. Their miso range is ACO certified organic and made in Australia at their Homebush West, NSW facility.
Why people love it
- Three certified organic ingredients: soy beans, rice, salt
- Traditional Japanese natural fermentation method
- Unpasteurised - live, unheated miso
- Higher rice koji ratio for a naturally mild and sweet flavour profile
- No additives, no GMO, no artificial colours or preservatives
- ACO certified organic
- Gluten free, vegan
- Made in Australia (Homebush West, NSW) by Carwari
- 500g tub
How to use it
White miso's mild flavour makes it the most versatile miso for everyday cooking:
- Miso soup: dissolve 1 to 2 teaspoons in a ladle of hot (not boiling) dashi or vegetable stock, then add to the pot. Do not boil miso - add it off the heat to preserve the live cultures and flavour
- Salad dressings: whisk with rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, and a little honey for a classic miso dressing
- Marinades: combine with mirin, sake, and a touch of sugar for a classic miso glaze for salmon, eggplant, tofu, or chicken
- Butter: blend softened butter with white miso for a rich, umami compound butter for grilled corn, vegetables, or bread
- Ramen and noodle broth: stirred through hot broth as a flavour base
- Roasted vegetables: toss cauliflower, pumpkin, or carrots in a miso, olive oil, and maple syrup mixture before roasting
- Hummus: a tablespoon blended into chickpea hummus adds a deeper, more savoury dimension
- Pasta: thinned with pasta water and butter as a simple umami pasta sauce
A note on temperature: miso should not be boiled. Add to dishes off the heat or at the end of cooking to preserve its flavour and live cultures.
Storage
Store in a cool dry place before opening. Refrigerate after opening and use within 3 months. As an unpasteurised live product, refrigeration is important after opening to maintain quality and slow continued fermentation. The surface of the paste may darken slightly over time - this is normal oxidation and does not affect quality. Press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the paste before replacing the lid to minimise oxidation.
Ingredients
Organic Soy Beans, Organic Rice, Salt.
Contains: soy.
Gluten free. Vegan. No additives. No GMO. ACO Certified Organic.
Country of origin: Made in Australia (Homebush West, NSW).
Certification: ACO Certified Organic.
About Carwari
Carwari is a Sydney-based food company founded around 45 years ago, originally supplying traditional Middle Eastern products including tahini. From 2006 they expanded into Japanese fermented foods, applying traditional techniques and minimal processing to produce an ACO certified organic miso range made entirely in Australia. Santos also stocks Carwari Organic Hulled and Unhulled Tahini.
Why Santos Organics
Santos has been the Northern Rivers' organic food shop since 1978. As a not-for-profit social enterprise, every purchase supports our work in community food systems, environmental advocacy, and the Grow the Growers project. We stock Carwari because their commitment to certified organic ingredients, traditional methods, and Australian manufacturing meets the Santos Care Check standard.
Santos Organics is not your average grocery store; it's a not-for-profit social enterprise and environmental charity. Since 1978, we've pioneered the organic wholefood movement. Our stores serve as community hubs where people connect with our team and fellow community members, sharing a journey toward optimal health and wellness. The palpable sense of community forms part of the social and cultural fabric of the Byron Shire and Northern Rivers. Employing over 70 passionate locals, we support hundreds of local farmers, makers, and artisans, promoting the local economy, building community resilience, and strengthening the local food system. Approximately 75% of the food on our shelves is locally grown, produced, or supplied, nurturing interconnectedness and supporting those passionate about clean, wholesome food and sustainable living.
Santos Organics makes conscious shopping easy by sourcing the best organic food and natural lifestyle products. We invest in ethics research through a dedicated Ethics Specialist position, ensuring our products meet rigorous standards before reaching our shelves. Our Care Check process aligns products with our social impact and environmental goals, providing customers with confidence in their purchases. Our commitment to ethical product procurement extends to partnerships with local farmers through initiatives like the Grow the Growers Project. This project helps local farmers establish pathways to the organic retail market, making fresh, locally grown organic food more available and affordable. By incorporating supply agreements and mutual marketing support, we foster connections between customers and the farmers behind their food.
Santos Organics significantly impacts the local community and economy. Over the last three years, our investments in local employment, goods from local suppliers and distributors, rent, and hiring local tradespeople have retained over $26 million within the Northern Rivers. In the past year alone, $5.3 million was circulated back into the local economy through these efforts, supporting over 100 Northern Rivers-based suppliers and distributors. This investment sustains our community's vitality and unique culture. Employing over 70 local team members ensures money stays within the local economy, enhancing opportunities for community interaction and support. Our local suppliers share our vision of promoting creative, sustainable, and healthy product development, strengthening the reputation of the Byron Bay region as a hub for innovation and sustainability.
