FAQ

FAQ

Below you will find a list of frequently asked questions from our customers.


Origin of ingredients

Where do the ingredients come from? Are they certified organic?

All of our ingredients are certified organic and produced in the EU. As we live in Europe, we prefer to use ingredients produced within Europe as much as possible. The only exception are Bacillus subtilis natto and Aspergillus oryzae, which are imported from reputable Japanese suppliers.

The current origin of each ingredient is as follows:
– Soya beans : Romania
– Rice grains : Italy
– Sea salt : Italy
– Bacillus subtilis natto : Japan
– Aspergillus oryzae : Japan

We would like to expand our network of suppliers in the future. Accordingly, these ingredients may change in the future.

Rice Koji – Raw

How can I store it?

Rice koji can be stored for approximately 2–3 weeks in the refrigerator and 3–6 months in the freezer. If not used immediately after purchase, it is recommended that it is stored in the freezer and defrosted before each use.

Can it be frozen?

If you are not using it immediately, store it in the fridge or freezer. It will keep for around two to three weeks in the fridge and three to six months in the freezer. Repeated defrosting in the cold weakens the enzymes, so only defrost what you need.
Although raw rice koji does not keep as long as dried rice koji, it has a richer flavour.

Koji sometimes has black spots, can I eat it?

There may be a small amount of brown rice remaining from the milling process, or traces of insect bites, which are harmless to humans. Since organic rice is used, these insects may have affected the rice. However, it could be said that this is a sign of the rice’s safety.

Rice Koji – Dried

How can I store it?

Store in a cool, dark place, avoiding high temperatures and high humidity. Once opened, it is recommended that dried Koji is stored in the fridge, as it absorbs moisture easily. If it cannot be used up immediately, it can also be frozen.

Koji sometimes has black spots, can I eat it?

There may be a small amount of brown rice remaining from the milling process, or traces of insect bites, which are harmless to humans. Since organic rice is used, these insects may have affected the rice. However, it could be said that this is a sign of the rice’s safety.

Natto

How can I store it?

Natto should be kept in the fridge to mature. If it is not to be eaten immediately, freeze it. It can be kept frozen for up to three months. If you find that the beans are a little tough, leave them in the fridge for 1-3 days after defrosting to allow them to mature and soften. However, if you leave them too long, they can develop a bitter flavour, so please only use them to the ‘right degree’.
Once defrosted, they can be frozen again, but they will become softer and the flavour will change. But don’t worry, they’re safe to eat.

Why is the hardness and aroma of natto not constant?

Natto continues to mature in the fridge. Over the course of a few days, the softness may increase and the bitter flavour and smell may change. Serve as soon as possible or freeze if it is not to be eaten immediately.

White spots have appeared on the natto, can they be eaten?

Yes, they are edible as they are a type of amino acid. They are more likely to occur if the natto is stored in a place with a high temperature.

There is a brown stain on the wrapper.

Our natto is fermented in the wrapper, and the moisture released by the soya beans during this process can cause brown stains. Please be assured that this is not dirt from outside and that there is no quality problem.

Its surface is white. Can it be eaten?

Yes, because it is made up of the bacterial membrane of Bacillus natto. Although they are produced under the same conditions, there may be slight differences in appearance from pack to pack.

Miso

Can it be stored at room temperature?

White rice miso should be kept refrigerated as it contains no additives, is not pasteurised, and has a low salt content. If left at room temperature, it ferments excessively, leaks out of the container and may form mould.

While white rice miso should not be refrigerated, brown rice miso can be stored at room temperature if further fermentation is desired. When gas builds up to the full container, release it. Freezing stops its fermentation. Refrigeration slowly allows the flavour to develop further.

I can smell alcohol in the miso. Is it safe to eat?

The smell of alcohol from miso is a sign that fermentation is happening, and there is nothing wrong. Miso fermentation involves koji bacteria, yeast and lactic acid bacteria. It is the yeast that produces the alcohol and causes the smell. If you are concerned about the smell, heating the miso will cause the alcohol to evaporate, so it is best to use it in miso soup or simmered dishes.

Is it safe to eat if there is a white growth on the surface?

This growth is a type of yeast called film yeast and is safe to eat. The white crystals that form elsewhere are amino acid crystals that appear when koji is strong, so you can eat them without removing them.

The taste and colour of the miso is slightly different from one previously bought, why is that?

Although our miso is made using the same ingredients and production methods, the state of fermentation and the finished product can vary depending on the ingredients used, as well as on conditions such as temperature or humidity. Please enjoy the diverse flavour of miso with live bacteria.

Umami Soya Sauce / Salt Koji

Storage and usage instructions

It can be stored unopened in the refrigerator for three months. To prevent the growth of spoilage bacteria, please use a clean spoon every time you use the product.

Don’t you like the texture of rice grains?

They will become softer and softer as fermentation progresses. If you want to remove as much of the texture of the grains as possible, you can chop them up using a food processor.

Ama Koji

Storage and usage instructions

Consume as soon as possible as they have not been heat-sterilised. If they are not used up completely, put them in freezer-safe containers or bags and store them in the freezer.

Don’t you like the texture of rice grains?

If you want to remove as much of the texture of the grains as possible, you can chop them up using a food processor.

Payments

Which payment methods are accepted?

You can pay using the following methods:

  • Credit- / Debitcard
  • Pay on delivery
  • Bank transfer

If you wish to pay in cash, please pay when the goods are delivered (card payment is also possible).

We accept major debit and credit cards as well as NFC payment options. A full list of accepted cards can be found here:

Visa / Mastercard / American Express / Discover / Diners Club / Google Pay / Apple Pay


We are happy to answer.

If you have any questions that aren’t answered in the FAQs, please let us know. We’re happy to help and we’re glad you’re interested. You can contact us via the following email address or direct message on our social media.

info@kamadoferment.com


Instructions on how to use and store our products are provided in English, Japanese and German.
Please refer to them for your reference.

Instructions of our products