The Impact of Temperature on Sake Flavor Profiles
Unlike wine and other alcoholic beverages, you can serve sake at various temperatures and still enjoy it. And because temperature affects it so dramatically, you can get multiple different tastes out of one bottle! Understanding the effect of temperature on sake taste will elevate your drinking experience and maybe even help you find a new […]
A Beginner’s Guide to Tasting Sake
Whether you’re trying sake for the first time or you’re looking for a way to enhance your sake drinking experience, a tasting session can help you understand the complexity of this traditional Japanese beverage. How Do You Properly Taste Sake? Sake tasting etiquette is similar to wine tasting etiquette. You want to savor it, taking […]
The Art and Science of Aging Sake
To age like fine wine is to become more attractive over the years, but what does it mean to age like sake? Aging sake is a completely different process from aging wine or other western alcoholic beverages like whiskey or brandy. Let’s explore the rich history and various production methods for aging sake. A Brief […]
How Is Sake Made?
Have you ever sipped sake and wondered how fermented rice could produce such a smooth, unique drink? As sake experts, we can tell you. Let’s explore the sake-making process. What Is in Sake? Traditional sake recipes are fairly simple, consisting of just a few ingredients. Typical sake ingredients include: Some brewmasters will also add brewers […]
What Is Sake?
As the national beverage of Japan, sake is rich in history, tradition and flavor. It’s noncarbonated and characterized by its pale yellow or green color, mildly sweet flavor, and high alcohol content. Most sakes sit between 18% and 20% alcohol by volume (ABV). Enjoy sake on its own or mix it with other ingredients to […]
Sake vs. Soju
One of the benefits of an ever more interconnected world is the opportunity to find new things you never even knew you wanted to try. While Japanese sake is a familiar drink to most people today, Korean soju is relatively new to American audiences. Though they may resemble each other, soju is not the same […]
What Is the Difference Between Sake, Cooking Sake, and Mirin?
Did you know that Japanese brewers use the same basic ingredients in the malting of both sake and mirin? Koji mold is the catalyst that produces alcohols from polished rice grains. It is also used to make popular Japanese seasonings such as soy sauce and miso. Authentic Japanese rice-based alcoholic beverages such as sake contain […]
Sake Versus Wine
In the worldwide family of alcoholic beverages, sake and wine are more like cousins than siblings. The differences between these two drinks are profound, from their distinct brewing processes down to the best glasses to serve each in. Both novice to experienced beverage connoisseurs benefit from understanding the differences in language, tasting principles, and terminology […]
Common Myths About Sake
There are several misconceptions about sake, a popular rice-brewed beverage, in Western culture. In this guide, Takara Sake USA discusses the truth behind the four most common myths about this drink. Here’s what you need to know about sake: Myth 1: Sake Is a Spirit This myth originates from the fact that many Western bars […]
What is CHU-HI?
“CHU-HI” has become a major cocktail in Japan. We can see a wide variety of CHU-HI being served at Japanese Restaurants (Izakaya) daily. What does “CHU-HI” stand for? It is shortened for “Shochu Highball.” Highball is a cocktail term referring to “a beverage made by distilled alcohol such as whiskey and gin mixed with soda.” […]
Quick Facts on Sake
Whether you’re a long-time lover of sake, are interested in trying it or have never heard of it before, learning about sake can open your eyes to the beverage’s interesting history, giving you a newfound appreciation for it. What Is Sake? Originating from Japan, sake is an alcoholic beverage created from fermented rice. This noncarbonated […]
