Japan's No. 1 organic miso maker launches new English website

Hikari Miso steps up its commitment to English-speaking and miso-loving consumers

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Oct 24, 2017, 13:39 ET

NAGANO, Japan, Oct. 24, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Cooking with miso just became super easy for home cooks, chefs and consumers on-the-run. Getting no-fuss and flavorful miso recipes into the hands of home cooks and consumers in English-speaking countries is an objective Japan's leading miso manufacturer is now officially fulfilling. Hikari Miso Ltd. today announced its new website for English speakers across the globe. The world's number one certified organic miso manufacturer has curated more than 40 home kitchen- and chef-tested recipes for its new website, designed by specialist natural and organic industry communications agency Fresh Ideas Group based in Colo., USA. Hikari Miso's easy-to-navigate site includes globally popular signature recipes by legendary restauranteur and chef Nobu Matsuhisa and popular San Francisco-based blogger Namiko Chen, aka 'Nami' of Justonecookbook.com. Founded in 1936 and still family-owned, Hikari Miso is enjoying double-digit growth in English-speaking countries as it combines Japanese tradition with modern cooking styles.

Website visitors can learn the basics of making traditional 'Miso Soup' or 'Miso Dashi Stock' or enjoy wildly popular 'Black Cod With Miso Marinade' by Chef Nobu Matsuhisa or healthy and elegant 'Glazed Eggplant with Miso Sauce' or 'Grilled Corn With Miso Honey Butter' by popular San Francisco-based Nami.

More than 70 distinct Hikari Miso brand products are now sold in the United States, 50 products are available in Canada and 30 SKUs are sold in the United Kingdom. Its most popular selling products for the past five years are its certified organic line of 14 'Organic Miso' products, all triple certified by accredited certifying authorities: USDA, Japanese Accreditation Program and European Union. In fact, Hikari Miso was the first miso manufacturer in Japan to apply for and earn formal organic certification in 1997.

"Hikari Miso is now sold in 30 countries and we continue to expand our reach," said Yoshihiro 'Joshu' Hayashi, fourth generation of his family to lead Hikari Miso and CEO and president of Hikari Miso Co., Ltd. and of Hikari Miso International. "We are excited to be generous with miso recipes, education and helpful tips so anyone can enjoy the benefit of traditionally fermented miso in their lives daily."

Hikari Miso's vigorous growth in English-speaking countries, in Europe and the Middle East is partially attributed by the company to two major food and health trends: fermented or 'live' foods and interest in Japanese cuisine, specifically in miso, a fermented soybean paste.

"Miso isn't just for soup anymore. You can mash it up with sweet potato or mix it with Marmite. 2017 is time to experiment," according to Henry Wong at the Evening Standard and Olive Magazine in their story, "11 food trends you need to know about for 2017," citing "Miso makes its mark" as a trend this year.

And Forbes included miso in its Top 10 Food & Restaurant Trends of 2016 with a panel of culinary experts touting their love of miso for its multitasking capabilities as a flavoring ingredient. In the trend article, written by contributor Andrew Bender, culinary expert Mike Thelin calls miso the "Swiss army knife of the pantry, adding umami, depth and complexity way beyond miso soup: marinades, salad dressings, bar snacks ... even donuts and ice cream."

ABOUT HIKARI MISO:

Founded by the Hayashi family in 1936 in what is now Nagano Prefecture in Japan, Hikari Miso LTD and Hikari Miso International, are Japan's leading miso manufacturer, and the number one maker of certified organic miso in the world. Inspired by the pristine and natural environment of Nagano, the company has flourished in an area surrounded by what are known as the 'Japanese Alps.' These snow-capped peaks are the water source for the company's green certified manufacturing plant, located in Iijima, Japan. The Company sells its products in Japan, U.S., U.K., Canada, Europe and the Middle East and maintains its Hikari Miso International offices in Torrance, Calif. It was the first miso manufacturer in Japan to earn certified organic status and is also certified organic by USDA in the U.S. and to EU standards. Hikari Miso honors ancient miso making traditions while embracing modern consumers need for high-quality, naturally and organically sourced and made products. Hikari Miso provides its consumers around the world: "Tradition You Can Taste and Trust." Visit Hikari Miso at www.hikarimiso.com or for sales information contact our team at [email protected].