How To Store Miso Paste (Tips for Keeping it Fresh)
Wondering how to store miso paste at home? This post will guide you on the best ways to store miso paste and practical tips to keep it fresh for longer. Enjoy cooking with miso without any worries about storage!
How to Store Miso Paste Properly
The proper way to store miso differs before and after opening. Although miso has a long shelf life compared to many other foods, as it contains a high amount of salt, incorrect storage can shorten its freshness. This section covers the best storage methods for both unopened and opened miso.
Before Open
It’s best to store unopened miso in the refrigerator. Even if miso is unopened, fermentation can continue, which may affect its color and flavor.
If stored at room temperature, take extra care during the hot summer, as higher temperatures will accelerate fermentation, even in a sealed container. While it’s still safe to eat, miso may lose some delicious flavor. To keep miso tasting fresh, store it in the refrigerator or a cool, dark place.
After Open
Once opened, it’s best to store miso in the refrigerator. If you store it at room temperature, it won’t spoil immediately, but it can lose flavor and become more likely to develop mold.
To keep miso fresh, minimize air exposure. Air can cause oxidation, which leads to discoloration and a loss of aroma and flavor. If your miso is in a package, cover the surface with plastic wrap to protect it from air. If it’s in a plastic bag, remove as much air as possible and seal the bag tightly.
Some miso will continue to ferment slowly, even in the refrigerator. If you don’t plan to use it for a long time, it’s best to store it in the freezer. Freezing stops fermentation and helps preserve its flavor.
If you notice mold on your stored miso, you can safely remove it by cutting off about 5mm of the moldy area.
Storage Container for Miso Paste
Miso typically comes in sizes ranging from 500g to 1kg, which can be relatively heavy. I recommend using a container with a handle for easier handling and storage in the refrigerator.
The Noda Horo storage container with a handle is perfect for this, as it makes it easy to put miso in and take it out of the fridge. Additionally, store-bought miso usually comes in square plastic containers that fit perfectly in this storage container.
Can You Freeze Miso Paste?
Yes, you can freeze miso paste! As mentioned earlier, freezing is a great option if you don’t plan to use miso for a while, as it helps preserve its quality by pausing fermentation and preventing flavor changes.
Miso contains minimal water, so it won’t fully freeze in a standard freezer (around -5℃ to -15℃). This keeps it soft and easy to scoop, so you can use what you need without thawing the entire container.
When freezing, you can keep miso in its original packaging or transfer it to a freezer-safe container.
How Long Does Miso Paste Last?
Miso has a long shelf life, typically lasting 3 to 12 months. It’s due to its high salt content, which acts as a natural preservative. While it’s best used by the expiration date, miso often remains safe and flavorful beyond that, especially if stored in the refrigerator. With proper storage, it can still be enjoyed up to a year past the expiration date.
However, low-salt miso (like sweet white miso) or processed varieties that contain soup stock may spoil more quickly. For more details on miso paste’s shelf life, signs of spoilage, and so on, check out Does Miso Paste Go Bad?
Dive Deeper into Miso Paste!
To learn more about miso paste, you can explore these articles:
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