The Gucci couple, husband (Tatusya) and wife (SHINO), a duo of cooking experts, have gained immense popularity across various media for their recipes that promote a “fun, delicious, and stylish everyday life.” Their journey began with casual food photos shared on social media, which unexpectedly led to a surge in recipe inquiries. This prompted them to start sharing their recipes publicly. The Gucci couple’s natural and relaxed approach has resonated with many, earning them widespread support. We had the opportunity to ask them about the allure of fermented foods!
Passion for Fermented Foods
Tatsuya is a miso soup lover, so he unregularly hosts Instagram live sessions, calling them “Miso Soup Diner,” to share his recipes. He says, “miso soup always warms my heart and makes me feel grateful to be Japanese.” While miso soup is easy to make and miso goes well with almost anything, many people tend to stick to a few familiar combinations at home. That’s why Tatsuya started his Instagram live sessions, wanting to expand the possibilities of miso soup and share its appeal. He suggests that western ingredients like zucchini and cheese can also make delicious miso soup, and he hopes people will discover new and exciting combinations.
The greatest appeal of fermented foods, including miso, is their long shelf life and the ability of fermentation to enhance the umami taste of ingredients. As a cook, Tatsuya also shared his insights into how fermentation changes flavors.
SHINO is very fond of amazake (fermented rice drink) and drinks it daily. She’s so passionate about fermented foods that she even makes her own amazake and miso. Having majored in nutrition in college, she’s always been interested in the nutritional benefits of fermented foods. SHINO started consuming fermented foods regularly after experiencing health problems due to an unbalanced diet. As she got busier with her job, her skin and body condition deteriorated. After incorporating fermented foods into her diet and making other dietary changes, her health improved significantly. This personal experience reinforced her belief in the direct connection between diet and health. Fermented foods, with their beneficial microorganisms, aid digestion and help the body absorb nutrients without strain. Because they help regulate your gut flora, it’s recommended to make them a part of your daily routine. SHINO shared that fermented foods are “easy to incorporate into cooking and allow you to experience flavor and satisfaction while enjoying food without relying on artificial additives or flavorings.”
Fermentation Food of Nagano
Nagano Prefecture, having cultivated a rich fermented food culture, can be called a “Kingdom of Fermentation,” which includes Shinshu Miso—a product that accounts for nearly half of the national market share. When we spoke with them about Nagano’s fermented food culture, Tatsuya, a miso enthusiast, praised it, saying, “Shinshu Miso has minimal distinctive flavor and is easy to use in everyday cooking. There’s also enjoyment in how the taste varies between different types.” Its lack of strong flavor allows it to pair well with almost anything. He recommends dishes like fried rice made by stir-frying rice with miso, allowing you to enjoy the fragrant grilled miso aroma, or marinating pork in miso. Shinshu Miso goes well with stir-fries, and the combination of the fragrant Shinshu Miso and the sweetness of pork creates a delicious main dish with little effort.
SHINO told us, “it’s wonderful to have fermented foods around you on a daily basis. For example, adding nozawana pickles as a side dish when you’re missing one dish can brighten up your meal and improve its nutritional value.” She explained that these daily habits contribute to a “fermented longevity.” They have created recipes using Nagano’s fermented foods!
Tender Miso-Marinated Pork Loin Sauté (using Shinshu Miso)
Main ingredients: Shinshu Miso, mirin (rice wine), sake, pork loin
The pork loin is marinated in miso to become tender. It is then quickly sautéed in a frying pan. This dish, which brings out the umami flavor of the pork with the power of fermented Shinshu Miso, is a delicious and easy-to-make option even on busy days.
Review Your Diet, Especially When You’re Busy!
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to neglect our diets. With a strong emphasis on time-saving, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be challenging. However, fermented foods, which can be easily incorporated into our daily meals, are a great ally for our health. “For example, miso is a very common and easily accessible ingredient, even in the homes of single men,” says Tatsuya. “By incorporating even one fermented food into our daily meals, we can enrich our diets a little.” SHINO adds, “eating healthy foods gives us a sense of self-care, happiness, and peace of mind.” She believes that healthy eating nourishes not only our bodies but also our minds. Mr. and Mrs. Gucchi are lively food enthusiasts who advocate for easy and rich dietary lifestyles in busy work lives.