The magical history of American Miso Co.

Each wooden barrel holds 8,000 pounds of miso. | Photo courtesy of American Miso Co.

Odds are, you’ve seen miso starring on a local menu or at the grocery store. The umami-rich fermented soy paste, which has roots in Chinese and Japanese cuisine, has grown popular in Asheville over the last few years.

You can find it in Smiling Hara Hempeh, as a sauce ingredient at Green Sage Cafe, and in gourmet dishes at restaurants like Asheville Proper and Ukiah.

But long before miso went mainstream in the Southeastern US, a small, rural factory out in Rutherfordton had already begun crafting its first batches of hand-mixed, organic miso.

At the helm of this movement: a small group of macrobiotic enthusiasts, including current owner Barry Evans and John Belleme (author of “The Miso Book” and “Japanese Foods That Heal”). They believed in a diet of whole, seasonal, and organic foods and sought to popularize this movement by producing their own organic and probiotic-dense goods.

To learn the ins and outs of the miso process, John and his wife Jan Belleme apprenticed with the Japanese family Takamichi Onozaki, who reside in the foothills of Japan’s mountainous Tochigi prefecture. For eight months, they trained with these “old school” fourth-generation miso makers, eating traditional foods and living in the family’s 300-year-old house.

When the Bellemes left Japan, they were determined to bring these ancient techniques back to America, and thus decided to open the factory in Rutherfordton. While the destination, perhaps, seems random — it was selected based on its climate and clean water, which turns out to be very similar to the Tochigi prefecture.

MORE MISO HISTORY, PLUS A RECIPE

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Wednesday, Dec. 14

Dorée + Soleil + Zaq Squares Live at Cellarest Beer Project | Wednesday, Dec. 14 | 6-9 p.m. | Cellarest Beer Project, 395 Haywood Rd., Asheville | Free | Dorée returns to the Cellarest Beer Project taproom, in the company of local musicians Soleil and Zaq Squares.
Pat Reedy & the Longtime Goners | Wednesday, Dec. 14 | 8 p.m. | The Double Crown, 375 Haywood Rd., Asheville | Catch the country crooner’s honest, modern day honky-tonk music with an electrified country band.

Thursday, Dec. 15

Divine Intervention: The Game Show | Thursday, Dec. 15 | 7-9 p.m. | New Belgium Brewing, 21 Craven St., Asheville | $10-$15 | This interactive Family Feud-style guessing game features a drag queen host, audience participation, saucy commentary, tacky prizes, and drag performances — proceeds support Blue Ridge Pride.
Holiday Cookie Exchange | Thursday, Dec. 15 | 2-4 p.m. | Grove Street Community Center, 36 Grove St., Asheville | Free | Bring your homemade cookies to share with others at this cookie swap party and enjoy a hot cocoa bomb.

Friday, Dec. 16

Film Screening: Elvis | Friday, Dec. 16 | 1-3:45 p.m. | Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St., Asheville | Free | The film “Elvis” explores the life and music of Elvis Presley, seen through the prism of his complicated relationship with his enigmatic manager, Colonel Tom Parker.
AVL Underground Comedy: Blaire Postman | Friday, Dec. 16 | 7:30-10 p.m. | GiGi’s Underground, 122-002 College St., Asheville | $15 | Comedian Blaire Postman is known for her explosive, fast-paced delivery and comedy that spans unusual topics.

Saturday, Dec. 17

Community Holiday Extravaganza | Saturday, Dec. 17 | 12-4 p.m. | Arthur Edington Center, 133 Livingston St., Asheville | Free | Local author Jorge Redmond will read from his book at this family-friendly, holiday event that also features crafts, cookie decorating, free lunch, and a holiday market featuring BIPOC-owned businesses.
Asheville (Evening) Drag Brunch | Saturday, Dec. 17 | 7 p.m. | Biscuit Head South, 1994 Hendersonville Rd., Asheville | $25 | A ticket for this family-friendly, interactive drag show includes brunch, one drink, and a donation to Sunrise Community for Recovery & Wellness.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Plan Ahead: New Year’s Eve with 007 and the Asheville Symphony Orchestra

Ring in 2023 with the Asheville Symphony Orchestra as they play their way through Bond movie classics. | Photo by Mike Morel

Feel like the main character this NYE with a performance featuring a score straight from the silver screen. Asheville Symphony Orchestra is ringing in 2023 with a James Bond-themed concert, and we have all the deets:

What: The Asheville Symphony Orchestra’s NYE with 007
When: Sat., Dec. 31 at 8 p.m.
Where: Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, 87 Haywood St.
Tickets: $40-85 (prices vary by seating section)

Dress in your best suit + tie or secret agent chic and enjoy a night of music from Bond movie favorites like “Goldfinger,” “Skyfall,” and more. The performance, conducted by ASO Music Director Darko Butorac, features powerhouse guest vocalists Mikki Sodergren and Jonathan Christopher.

Bonus: Those under the age of 25 can get special pricing discounts (read: up to $20 off for prime seats).

Ready to shake up (not stir) your NYE? 🍸*

GRAB YOUR TICKETS

Weather

46º | Showers | 80% chance of rain

Transit

Have an idea that would promote safer walking and biking to school? Community organizations have until Monday, Feb. 6 to apply for NCDOT’s Safe Routes to School grant program. Learn more about the program at today’s webinar, which kicks off at 2:30 p.m.

Outdoors

Phase one of the Old Fort Trails Project is complete, meaning six new miles are now open to the public. The other 36 miles should be finished by around 2027. Read more about the plan. (Mountain Xpress)

Try This

Metro Wines is partnering with Mr. Sushi Chef Nandar Kaung for a “Sushi Making Class and Sake Tasting” on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2-4 pm. at Asheville Beauty Academy (28 Broadway St.). Tickets should be purchased in advance and will include a bamboo mat, sushi rolls, sake, and a glass of wine. 🍣

Biz

Congrats to Asheville-based software company Ecobot on winning the 2022 NC TECH AgTech/CleanTech Award. Since 1995, this award has honored excellence and innovation among companies throughout North Carolina. (Newswire)

Shop

Spicewalla will have its annual warehouse sale this Saturday, Dec. 17, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Ginger’s Revenge loading dock (829 Riverside Dr.). The sale will include overstocked spices + seconds (think: dented or discolored tins) with up to 50% discounts. 🌶️
What gifts are on the radar this season? City Editor Brook is ready to wrap herself up in this AVL area code towel, and City Editor Laura is ready to pour into this Land of the Sky Mug. Shop these unique gifts + more at our online shop Six & Main.

Eat

Biltmore Pastry Chef Aaron Morgan has created a special Peanut Butter Yule Log recipe for the holidays. Hint: a rich peanut butter-cream cheese filling and snowflake-esque Italian buttercream icing are involved.

Award

Give MB HAYNES one more round of applause, Asheville. The local home services company was recently named GOLD winners for Best Electrician and Best Plumber in the Best of Asheville awards. Congrats, y’all. 🏅 *

Edu

ICYMI, community residents can now register for Spring 2023 courses for UNC Asheville’s Great Smokies Writing Program. The spring semester features 5-, 10-, and 15-week class options covering different aspects of writing, including memoir, fiction, character studies + more. Learn more. 📖 *

Travel

How does Scott’s Cheap Flights work? Sign up for free, follow up to five airports, and Scott’s will notify you when flights are 40-90% off. Bonus: You can browse deals immediately after signing up (like a $300+ round trip to Bermuda). 🌴*

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

Culture

Shipping deadlines for Christmas

Snail mail may be faster than Santa. | Photo by Element5 Digital via Pexels

Grab your packing tape. If you have a package that must arrive by December 25, we’ve got the details on when and where to ship your presents. 🎁

FedEx deadlines:

Wednesday, Dec. 14 | FedEx Ground
Tuesday, Dec. 20 | Express Saver
Wednesday, Dec. 21 | FedEx 2Day
Friday, Dec. 23 | FedEx SameDay

Locate your nearest FedEx location.

UPS deadlines:

Tuesday, Dec. 20 | UPS 3 Day Select
Wednesday, Dec. 21 | UPS 2nd Day Air
Thursday, Dec. 22 | UPS Next Day Air

Find your nearest UPS location.

United States Postal Service deadlines:

Friday, Dec. 16 | USPS Priority Mail Express Military service
Saturday, Dec. 17 | USPS Retail Ground service, First-Class Mail service, First-Class packages
Monday, Dec. 19 | Priority Mail service
Friday, Dec. 23 | Priority Mail Express service

Find your nearest Post Office.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Laura.

Editor’s pick: Miso is also an incredible marinade for chicken, beef, and beyond. Recently, I mixed the Miso Master’s mellow white paste with Spicewalla’s mustard and tarragon seasoning, honey, and garlic to make a marinade for a roast chicken. The results were sublime.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Check out our tips for celebrating your pets this holiday season, here.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Laura Hackett, Brook Bolen, Sarah Leonhardt, Erin McPherson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Helen Purnell | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

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