Buai (Ratio/Yield)
Buai (Ratio)
Japanese: 歩合（ぶあい）
A unit expressing the proportion of koji or salt relative to raw materials.
Buai expresses ratios using 'wari' (tenths). 'Koji buai 10 wari' means using koji equal in weight to soybeans. 20 wari means twice the soybeans' weight in koji.
Buai is the most fundamental design indicator for determining miso's flavor direction. Higher koji buai yields sweeter miso; lower yields saltier. Combined with salt buai, it maps out the design blueprint for your target miso. Japanese brewing has long used 'wari' units. 10 equals same weight; 5 is half; 20 is double. Essential knowledge for reading recipes. Understanding the numbers returns flavor design to your own hands.