Carwari Red Miso Paste 500g
A bold, deeply flavoured red miso paste made from three certified organic ingredients using a longer traditional fermentation process than white miso. Unpasteurised and live. Product of Japan.
Red miso (aka miso) is produced using the same base ingredients as white miso - organic soy beans, organic rice koji, and salt - but fermented for a significantly longer period. This extended fermentation produces a deeper colour ranging from reddish-brown to dark brown, a more complex and robust umami flavour, and a more assertive, savoury character. Where white miso is mild and subtly sweet, red miso is rich, full-bodied, and distinctly savoury - the version to reach for when you want a pronounced miso flavour that holds its own in heartier dishes.
During the longer fermentation process, melanoidin compounds develop in the paste, contributing to both the deeper colour and the more complex flavour. The soybeans are not peeled before fermentation (unlike white miso), which adds an earthier, more robust character to the finished paste.
As an unpasteurised product, the fermentation process remains live in the paste. The colour may deepen over time and white spots may occasionally appear on the surface - both are normal signs of active live miso and do not affect quality. The packaging may expand slightly due to the activity of the live culture.
Three ingredients. No additives. No GMO. ACO certified organic. Product of Japan.
Why people love it
- Three certified organic ingredients: soy beans, organic rice koji, salt
- Traditional Japanese natural fermentation method, longer process than white miso
- Unpasteurised - live, unheated miso
- Deep, rich, full-bodied umami flavour - the boldest of the Carwari miso range
- No additives, no GMO, no artificial colours or preservatives
- ACO certified organic
- Gluten free, vegan
- Product of Japan
- 500g tub
How to use it
Red miso's more pronounced flavour makes it the right choice for dishes that can carry its depth:
- 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 off the heat to preserve the live cultures and flavour
- Ramen broth: red miso is the traditional base for tonkotsu-style miso ramen, stirred through rich pork or vegetable broth
- Marinades and glazes: combine with mirin, sake, and sugar for a classic miso glaze for salmon, eggplant, tofu, chicken, or pork belly - the stronger flavour is better suited to longer marinating times
- Stir-fries: a tablespoon stirred through a stir-fry sauce adds a deep savoury backbone
- Slow-cooked dishes: added to braises, stews, and slow-cooked meat dishes where the flavour develops over time
- Compound butter: blended with softened butter and spread over grilled meats or vegetables
- Dressings: whisked with rice vinegar, sesame oil, and ginger for a bolder dressing for robust salads, grain bowls, and roasted vegetable dishes
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.
White vs Red - how to choose
Both are Carwari certified organic miso pastes available at Santos:
- White Miso (shiro miso): shorter fermentation, milder and sweeter flavour, pale colour. Best for light soups, dressings, marinades where a subtle miso note is wanted
- Red Miso (aka miso, this product): longer fermentation, bold and deeply savoury flavour, dark reddish-brown colour. Best for hearty soups, ramen, slow-cooked dishes, and robust marinades where a strong miso flavour is the goal
Storage
Store in a cool dry place before opening. Refrigerate after opening and consume as soon as practical. As an unpasteurised live product, refrigeration after opening is important to maintain quality and slow continued fermentation. The colour may darken over time and white spots may appear on the surface - both are normal in authentic live miso. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface before replacing the lid to minimise oxidation.
Ingredients
Organic Soy Beans, Organic Rice (Koji), Sea Salt.
Contains: soy.
Gluten free. Vegan. No additives. No GMO. ACO Certified Organic.
Country of origin: Product of Japan.
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. Santos also stocks Carwari Organic White Miso Paste 500g, Organic Hulled Tahini 750g, and Organic Unhulled Tahini 750g.
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 transparent production 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.
