Greetings from IOWA MISO September 2025
Hi Everyone:
The daily temperatures are going down, and so although I regret the passing of summer, on the other hand I’m really enjoying this nice and lovely weather.
There are two Farmers Markets left for this year, September 6th and October 4th. Even if only once a month, it has been a challenge to get ready every time! But I’ve really enjoyed meeting so many people, both to chat with old customers as well as introduce IOWAMISO to new ones.
Soon enough, it’ll be the season to make delicious hot soups. Please use a little miso with your favorite soups and taste how it’ll improve its umami. I think you will be surprised at the change in taste. One of the chefs who is using IOWAMISO recently wrote to me: “Your miso is like a secret weapon!” 

✼ Menu for the   September 6. 2025  
Farmers Market in Cedar Falls  Lunch-Box:

• This month I will bring a Tonkatsu ( pork fillet cutlet) bento box to introduce the Gold variety of IOWAMISO. This miso is used as a sauce over slices of breaded pork filet. I made this type of pork filet remembering how my dearest Grandma sometimes used to make it. However, while she would deep fry the meat in oil, I use air-fry instead, cutting out the oil and making it much lighter and easier to digest.
• My other box-lunch is vegetarian and is called a Dengaku Bento, or Farmers’ Lunch (Den means “rice field” and Gaku means “enjoy”). I use delicious local eggplant with a sauce made from IOWAMISO Gold, a little sake, mirin, and sugar all added slowly to bring out the different tastes. Next to a rice ball, I add garnishes of a sweet corn-omelet and seasonal veggies.​

 Pickled apricot and red shiso leaf

• I will bring another new product. This year, I pickled apricots in salt that turned out very nicely. These are best eaten, little bit by little bit, with cooked rice or avocado, or something else that can soften the strong combination of saltiness and sourness such as you might not expect from what you think is a sweet apricot.  Just a little piece of it in your salad dressing will suffice to change its taste, or try it with some vanilla ice cream for a totally different experience. Or, of course, start experimenting with it according to your own ideas! Only a limited number available!

Black beans IOWAMISO and Black Sesame Rice krispies

• This is my newest product to bring to the Cedar Falls Farmers Market. It is made with black sesame seed (good for your skin & hair) and black bean IOWA MISO. It turned out to be a very delicious snack that I personally like very much!

IOWA MISO

• In addition to Amber, Gold, and IOWAMISO BALLS, I will also bring different kinds of miso I only sell at the Cedar Falls Farmers Market. These are all made with Iowa grown organic grains or veggies, such as, barley-miso, 5-grains IOWA MISO,  and spicy-hot IOWA MISO.

SOY SAUCE: in 3 varieties

• Iowa-grown, organic soybeans, organic brown rice, salt, and water, i.e. this is a GLUTIN-FREE type of soy sauce!
• Iowa-grown, organic soybeans and rye, salt, and water.
• Iowa-grown, organic soybeans and wheat, salt, and water.

SAMURAI HARDTACK

•  The filling of this cookie is made of a mixture of miso and dried nuts, such as walnuts, cashew nuts and coconuts, a lot of dried fruits, such as dates, figs, raisins, mulberry and prunes. As a sweetener I use local honey, and a little bit of brown sugar.   I let these ingredients blend together over time and then bake them wrapped into a lightly sweetened cover of dough. Great as a snack to tide you over until your next meal!

Hello Everyone! 

Spring is almost here! Once I have smelled the air of spring, even if it is still snowing, my feeling of excitement is stronger than the cold of the snow! 
This month I will introduce my Lemon flavored IOWA MISO. Many my friends like this dip and it is really easy to make. This is the lemon season. Please try it and enjoy the fresh taste! 




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How to make lemon-flavored IOWA MISO:
IOWA MISO Amber Tbs. 3 + Sugar Tbs. 1 1/2 + freshly squeezed lemon juice Tbs. 1 ~ 1 1/2. Mix well. Please add 1 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper and mix well just before serving.

Hello Everyone! February’s Highlight:  IOWA PORK MISO
IOWA MISO collaborates with Joia Food Farm! https://www.joiafoodfarm.com
I visited this farm several times, and I know the owners produce the best and cleanest kind of pork in IOWA. I use their pork to make IOWA PORK MISO. I add garlic, ginger, and a lot of green onions. This MISO is very delicious and very useful in all kinds of ways! You can enjoy it with rice, ramen, udon, eggs, and vegetables. 
★ I will make IOWA PORK MISO only in February upon receipt of your order. Please order asap! 
★ Quantities are limited! 
Please try it, you'll like it! 



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IOWA PORK MISO : 8 oz = $12.00
Ingredients: Joia Food Farm ground pork, IOWA MISO Amber + Ruby, ginger, garlic, green onions, sugar, mirin, soy sauce, canola oil. 
Suggestion to enjoy IOWA PORK MISO: 
- With freshly cooked rice 
- Ramen/Udon : For noodles for 1 person:  2 Tbs. IOWA PORK MISO + 1 Tbs. soy sauce + (Optional: 1 tsp. Rosted sesame seeds) + 1 cup of hot water
- With vegetables: cucumber, colorful paprika, radish, etc.
- With eggs 

​My dear friends! 

I wish you Happy and Great New Year 2022! Let's have fun! Let's find pleasure in small things!
Finally the IOWA winter is here with a vengeance. My first winter in Iowa, my eyelashes froze up. It was so cold that my eyes were watering and the tears froze on my face. Everyone has their own stories about Iowa winters. I think that we should find some fun things to do at home during this cold weather! 

You may know already that my family starts the day every morning with a mug of miso soup. Almost every morning, we all sigh: "Delicious! ". Sometimes, I remember my Turkish friend Tulin, who told me that I should not praise my own cooking. Yes, both in Turkey and Japan, we have the same custom that we should not say "it's delicious" when we have made something ourselves. But, it is true, it is delicious! and to drink miso soup first thing in the morning is one of the happiest moments that producing miso provides for me. Luckily, I can share my miso with you.

Here are some voices from miso lovers: 
- I like to have a cup after a cold run outside.           
- This miso will bring out the best of flavors whether used as a soup, an added touch in stews and casseroles or a base for gravy. 
 
OK, I have several ideas to enjoy IOWA MISO in a mug cup!
Please try one/some/all of my ideas to enjoy IOWA MISO with your own mug! Also create your own soup! Keep your body warm!  😊
Ideas for a mug of IOWA MISO soup! 
⭒ IOWA MISO Amber (1 heaped tsp) + ginger (1 tsp) + Honey (1/2 Tbs.) + 1 cup of hot water 
⭒IOWA MISO Amber + Quick oats + Cheese + Hot water
⭒IOWA MISO Amber + Fresh salad  + Hot water
⭒IOWA MISO Amber + Curry powder +Ginger + Hot water
⭒IOWA MISO Amber + Butter + Cheese + Hot water
⭒IOWA MISO Amber + Basil Paste + Cheese + Hot water
When I buy a bunch of green onions, I chop them and put them in a glass jar, so that I can add them easily every time I make soup. Once you see those greens in the soup, it looks prettier and tastes fresh!