Of all the iconic symbols of feudal Japan, perhaps none are as recognizable and as closely intertwined as the samurai and sake. Samurai, the elite warrior class of feudal Japan, were known for their prowess in battle and their strict code of honour, known as bushido. Sake, on the...
Sake is a traditional Japanese alcoholic beverage made from fermented rice. There are several types of sake available in the market, and one of the most popular and unique types is Nigori sake. Nigori sake, also known as unfiltered or cloudy sake, is a creamy, sweet, and full-bodied sake...
Namazake is a type of sake that is gaining popularity in Japanese sake. It is a unique and delicate style of unpasteurised sake, giving it a fresher, more vibrant taste. In this deep dive blog post, we will explore the origins of namazake, how it is made, and what...
Japanese sake, also known as Nihonshu, is a traditional alcoholic beverage enjoyed in Japan for centuries. Made from fermented rice, water, and yeast, sake has a unique flavour profile that has captivated drinkers worldwide. In this blog post, we'll dive into the history, production process, and cultural significance of Japanese...
Umeshu is a famous Japanese liqueur made from ume fruits, a type of Japanese apricot. This sweet and sour beverage has a long history in Japan and is enjoyed by many as a dessert wine or a digestif. Origins of Umeshu The origins of Umeshu can be traced...
Japanese sake, also known simply as sake, is a traditional Japanese rice wine that has been enjoyed for centuries. It is made by fermenting rice with water and a special type of yeast, and is often referred to as "nihonshu" in Japan. Sake is not just a drink, but...
What is Doburoku? Regarded as the simplest form of alcohol to be made from rice, Doburoku is a sake that did not undergo filtering or pressing after fermentation. Therefore, it is different from your average cloudy "nigori" sake because cloudy sake usually has the sake lees part filtered...
The Kyo-machiya is a type of traditional wooden house that still exists in some parts of Kyoto. Kyo-machiya usually has a tsuboniwa, an inner garden that, while small, imbues residents' daily life with extra charm. Many old merchant houses and other traditional wooden houses can still be found in Kyoto...
There are lots of sake styles to discover and enjoy. One of them is taruzake, a sake with woody aromas and flavours. Let's figure out what taruzake is, how it is made, and where it stands among all other types of sake. Taruzake is sake that has been aged...
In Japan, the oldest record of sake production using koji can be found in Harima-no-Kuni Fudoki, a history of the area corresponding to today's Hyogo Prefecture, which dates back roughly 1,400 years. Despite the fact that sake brewed from rice has a history that dates back many thousands of years,...
During our stay in the lakeside town of Suwa in Nagano Prefecture, our concept of sake changed dramatically. The day we spent visiting breweries and tasting a wide range of delicious sake (tough work, we know) was finally over. We decided that it would be pleasant to relax at a...
You might wonder whether sake can be aged like wine and to what extent it benefits from ageing. Sake is traditionally brewed to be consumed young. So it wouldn't be wise to store a bottle of your favourite sake in your cellar for several years to mature. There...
What is Bizen ware? Bizen ware is a form of pottery that has been produced around the city of Bizen in Okayama Prefecture. Bizen ware is one of Japan's six ancient kilns. It is without a doubt that Bizen ware is one of the most outstanding Japanese kilns,...
Despite sake having a long history of more than 1,000 years, the popular, highly polished, wine-like sake we all love is barely 100 years old. In 1868, after the Meiji Restoration (a political and social movement that ended the power of the Tokugawa shogun and brought Japan closer to...
Sake is strongly associated with Japan. Admittedly, when we think of sake, most of us automatically think of Japan. This strong relation, however, was not always evident. In ancient times, alcoholic beverages made from rice were consumed all over Asia. Things changed with the arrival of the distillation technique in...
