Introducing: Miso Tasty #yum

A few years ago my now husband developed a bit of a fettish for Miso soup. When he was working at the lab at UCL he needed a simple but tasty lunch which wouldn’t take too long to prepare as he was busy working on his research. Recently we were lucky enough to have been invited to the inaugural blogger tasting event from new Miso brand: Miso Tasty.

Miso Tasty soup is a great secret weapon for those of us looking for a healthy option for snacks or lunch, with only 37 calories per serving (great if you are on the 5:2 diet) it also is served in packaging sized to slip into a handbag or even pocket. Miso Tasty is super flexible, you can enjoy as a mid-afternoon snack or add some tasty extras to bulk out a healthy lunch such as noodles, rice, tofu, fish flakes, boiled egg, spring onions, sea vegetables or chilli. Being vegetarian I enjoyed my soup with noodles, seaweed and tofu at the tasting, whilst sipping some amazing sparkling Saké!

If you keep track of your protein intake then you should know that each pack of Miso Tasty has 8% protein per pack. It also comes with a separate pack of umami – one of the five basic tastes (together with sweet, sour, bitter and salty) from the Japanese, umami can be translated as “pleasant savory taste” – to mix in, these soups offer a great option to keep you fuller for longer.

There are two Miso Tasty flavours, a Classic ‘Shiro’ Miso Soup which is made from white miso blend for a sweet flavour, and a slightly more adventurous Spicy ‘Aka’ Miso Soup, a red miso blend with nanami and sancho chillies for a bit of a kick. I have yet to try the spicy soup, but enjoyed the classic white miso during the tasting and at home since.The soups can in a 2-part kit made of miso paste and a pack of umami powder, wakame seaweed and spring onions you add once the paste has been mixed with hot water. This 2 step method offers a far more authentic taste than miso soups which come in one packet which can loose the miso flavour and results in dry boring greenery.

Miso is not just for making soups, but can be used as an ingredient in a range of amazing dishes. We were lucky enough to have had some dishes prepared for us at the tasting incorporating miso including baked aubergine, 2 different fish dishes coleslaw (with miso instead of mayonnaise) and some amazing cookies made with rice flour and the classic white miso which is the sweetest. My husband, who has given up wheat recently, was amazed at being able to enjoy these shortbread like biscuits as he has been unable to eat a biscuit for some weeks!

Miso Tasty source the best quality miso for their range of soups from the Shincho region of Japan, produced in small batches and fermented by craftsmen using snowmelt from the Central Japanese Alps. Miso Tasty ingredients are all ethically sourced and the soups are completely GM, additive and gluten-free. The range of soups are also suitable for vegetarians and the adorable packaging is 100% recyclable.

To find out more or order online visit www.misotasty.com or you can find Miso Tasty products at Selfridges Foodhalls and Harvey Nichols.