Growing Koji: The Magic Inside Soy Sauce and Tempeh

Course Image
Growing Koji: The Magic Inside Soy Sauce and Tempeh
Description

Koji is a type of mold often used in Japanese cuisine. It is responsible for miso, tempeh, soy sauce, mirin, amazake, rice wine vinegar and so much more. In this course, we will discuss how to propagate koji and use it to create some of your favorite foods. The class will cover the different types of koji, flavor development, co-fermentation, and the conditions necessary for each ferment. There will be a demonstration of koji propagation, and fermentation of vegetables, grains, and meat.

Contact Hours
Level
Beginner
Audience

Entrepreneurs, home enthusiasts

Topics
  • What is koji?
    • History of koji discovery and use in production 
    • Common types of koji and koji production
  • Equipment
  • Cleaning and Sanitizing
    • Chemicals
    • Safety
    • Cleaning and sanitizing procedures
  • Preparation and fermentation
    • Temperature
    • Aeration
    • Moisture
    • Nutrients
    • Co-fermentation
  • Additives
    • Fining
    • Sulfites
  • Aging
  • Storage
  • Tasting
Objectives
  • Understand the basic principles behind propagating koji.
  • Be familiar with common practices using koji to ferment vegetables, grains, and meat.
  • Understand the difference in sensory characteristics from different koji strains.
  • Know how to manage and age your koji ferment
  • Understand quality considerations.
Delivery Options
Face-to-Face

Delivered in-person in a classroom or lab setting.

College Options
Growing Koji: The Magic Inside Soy Sauce and Tempeh

Koji is a type of mold often used in Japanese cuisine. It is responsible for miso, tempeh, soy sauce, mirin, amazake, rice wine vinegar and so much more. In this course, we will discuss how to propagate koji and use it to create some of your favorite foods. The class will cover the different types of koji, flavor development, co-fermentation, and the conditions necessary for each ferment. There will be a demonstration of koji propagation, and fermentation of vegetables, grains, and meat.

Level
Beginner
Audience

Entrepreneurs, home enthusiasts

Topics
  • What is koji?
    • History of koji discovery and use in production 
    • Common types of koji and koji production
  • Equipment
  • Cleaning and Sanitizing
    • Chemicals
    • Safety
    • Cleaning and sanitizing procedures
  • Preparation and fermentation
    • Temperature
    • Aeration
    • Moisture
    • Nutrients
    • Co-fermentation
  • Additives
    • Fining
    • Sulfites
  • Aging
  • Storage
  • Tasting
Objectives
  • Understand the basic principles behind propagating koji.
  • Be familiar with common practices using koji to ferment vegetables, grains, and meat.
  • Understand the difference in sensory characteristics from different koji strains.
  • Know how to manage and age your koji ferment
  • Understand quality considerations.
Contact Hours
Delivery Options
Face-to-Face

Delivered in-person in a classroom or lab setting.

College Options