Cultural arts: Japanese miso is alive and thriving in Western North Carolina

For decades, the American Miso Co. has been quietly crafting top-quality miso, a Japanese fermented food product, from its home in the mountains of Rutherford County. With its distribution arm, Great Eastern Sun, based in Asheville, the little homegrown company has gradually grown to be the largest organic miso manufacturer in the world.

Small Bites: What to do for Mother’s Day

Asheville moms are a diverse bunch, but it’s likely most would agree that a whole day dedicated to honoring and pampering them is an OK thing. For many, that might mean being treated to brunch, lunch or dinner at a local eatery. But Asheville is the current holder of the Travel + Leisure magazine title of America’s No. 1 Quirkiest Town, so for others it could translate to something completely different.