Tuesday, February 19, 2013

From Japan

The other day I saw this image below while looking for material for a blog post and got inspired. This image shows a beautiful perspective of the barrels used in the production of Sake. When I wrote yesterday's post about good quality design, the process of making sake could not be a better example of quality.


This traditional rice wine has its first origin back to the 3rd century AD, but not until the 3rd century BC a true method of growing rice was introduced in Japan and with it the tradition of making Sake with it. Through time sake has become part of the culture being used even in religious ceremonies, festivities and games. 
 

The methods of production have changed with times but it is known that as more countries have started to make sake {US, China, Australia, S. America, S. Asia}, they have incorporated ancient methods of making it to give it a unique flavor.In Japan, the making of sake has decreased but its quality has actually increased exponentially.


Sake is produced by brewing the rice like you would do in beer and a fermentation process like that of wine. There are 3 ingredients included in the making of sake: sake rice, water which makes up to 80% of the final product, rice-koji which is a mold used in the fermentation process, and in some cases distilled alcohol is added {the more it contains the lowest the quality}.


The making of sake can take from 4 to 6 weeks of a process that involves several carefully executed steps. Then the sake is filtered, pasteurized and poured into the cedar barrels to mature, which takes from 6 to 9 months. There are different varieties and they vary in acidity, value and alcohol level, which is important to know if you like to drink it hot or cold... I prefer it cold in a "choko" glass!

Have a great day and admire the process!

19 comments:

  1. There's something really beautiful about the fact that it takes so long to perfect the Sake and that the bottles/containers it is served in are so simple in their design. It's nearly as if the design was deliberately simple as to not distract from the drink...

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  2. This was really interesting to learn, I had no idea about the origins of sake and how it was made, its not widely available here in SA but I think a few restaurants are starting to carry it now.

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  3. I don't have sake regularly but it's really interesting to hear the process of how it's made. I also really like the shape of the barrels in the top photo.

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  4. You're typically supposed to only drink cheap sake warm.

    And the photo of the glass in the box...a restaurant pours sake into the glass until it overflows into the box. A symbol of plentyness or somesuch :)

    Good stuff.
    Now let's talk about Shochu (not the Korean stuff, the Japanese stuff!). Ahahahahaha

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  5. i'm not a sake fan - i drink it when we go to habachi - but other then that i don't

    PS pass it on - giveaway going on at my blog :o)

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  6. love to learn something new--this sake post is delicious!

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  7. I didn't realize it took so long to make sake- wow!

    This makes me crave a yummy dinner (and sake, of course) at a Japanese steak house. :)

    Happy Tuesday!

    -Ashley
    http://lestylorouge.com

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  8. beautiful! Japanese design is always so intricate and gorgeous!

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  9. This is such an interesting and involved process. Had no idea! I don't drink alcohol, but have always admired the sake cups and decanters. So beautiful.

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  10. I haven't indulged in a glass of sake in ages–it's high time!

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  11. Just gorgeous. I love the simplicity of the sake 'glass' too

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  12. i was lucky enough to have spent time studying japanese culture. their rice wine is excquisite if i may say so myself! however i didn't know anything about it's history so this was a really interesting article!
    my weekend was lovely thank you, i hope yours was too :)

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  13. Love Sake...after my pregnancy definitely indulging.

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  14. SO interesting. Thanks for sharing! Love sake. Thanks for stopping by my blog! xo, Julie
    www.fromproseccotoplaid.com

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  15. Mmm, what a beautiful process. I love a nice glass of nigori sake.

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  16. I like Sake for the right occasion and cuisine, I tend to love it more now than when I was younger though. There's so many different types as well!

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  17. I love sake with my sushi.

    Now that I've discovered my wheat intolerance I love it even more.

    www.GirlwithaNewLife2.com

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