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How to Properly Drink Sake: Different Types of Sake and Cups

Jul 19th 2022 - Monica Cunanan

How to Properly Drink Sake: Different Types of Sake and Cups

Sake has a long history and tradition, and there is a specific way to enjoy it. Sake has a unique taste, smell, and flavor that sets it apart from any other beverage. Sake is made from rice, but its taste differs depending on the type of rice used. Sake is a traditional Japanese beverage and a cultural activity and in this article, we’ll teach you how to drink sake the best way so you can get maximum enjoyment from the experience and avoid looking inexperienced while you’re doing it.

The proper way of drinking Sake

When serving sake, always serve it in small drinking cups called ‘guinomis' or ‘chokos'. Never take it down like you would a tequila slammer! You won't be able to enjoy the full effects of the sake if you don't know how to properly hold the sake cup. Sake has been carefully refined through hundreds of years of brewing to be best savored as you would a glass of wine or tea.

What is Sake?

Let’s start with the fundamentals. Sake is traditional Japanese grain alcohol and the national drink of Japan. It’s made by fermenting polished rice. Polishing rice removes the bran, and the more polished the rice is, the finer the sake tends to be. Historically, sake dates back to at least the 8th century and quite possibly even earlier.

Many people know sake as rice wine, but it’s made by a brewing process that’s more similar to beer than wine. Unlike wine, which is made by fermenting the sugar in fruit, sake is grain alcohol and uses the starch in the rice. If you're new to drinking sake, then you'll probably want to try different types of sake before you find one that suits you best. You might feel overwhelmed by the variety of sake options available and not know which one is best for you.

Alcohol Content of Sake

Sake has a higher alcohol content than wine. Wines usually fall between 10% and 15%, but undiluted sake can be anywhere from 18% to 20%. Sake, which is a strong type of sake, often exceeds 20% alcohol by weight.

Pronounce Sake the Right Way

Get the name right so you don't start off on the wrong foot by drinking this ceremonial beverage. The correct way to pronounce it is ‘sa-keh,' not ‘sa-kee.'

Hot Sake vs Cold Sake

Sake is usually served warm but it's also quite good when chilled, at room temperature, or even hot. Cheap sake is usually warmed to hide its low quality, and premium sake is usually served chilled. Again, this is something you'll probably want to experiment with. If you find a particular sake that you enjoy, you may prefer it at different serving temperatures. Sake is a versatile beverage, so you can have a lot fun experimenting with the different methods for drinking it.

Types of Sake

Sake comes in a huge variety of styles, flavors, and prices. There are so many different brewing techniques that they yield an astounding variety of unique flavors and types. Start your sake journey by familiarizing yourself with one of the most popular types of sake.

Seishu (清酒)

Refined sake is called seishu. Seishu is usually served at parties and celebrations. It is clear, crisp, and fresh, it can be both sweet and dry. It is the base from which more complex sakes are launched. It is fermented, distilled, filtered, pasteurized, and diluted, balancing the alcoholic content and mellowing the taste. It's the go to sake at any liquor store across Japan. Its price depends upon several factors including the milling of rice and can vary significantly. The cheapest is called futsushu (普通酒), and is commonly sold in paper cartons.

Honjozo (本醸造)

Seishu is a traditional Japanese beverage made from steamed rice. It has a delicate flavor and is often served chilled. Its polishing ratio, or seimai buai (精米歩合)Tokubetsu honjozo (特別本醸造), with a polishing ratio of 60% or less, is also available.

Ginjo (吟醸)

Ginjo sake has a high alcohol content and a low polishing ratio. It's often described as having a fruity aroma. To enhance the aroma of this dish, try serving it in a wine glass.

Daiginjo (大吟醸)

Daiginjo boasts a polishing ratio of 50% or more. The daiginjō is the pride of most brewers, often being the most costly and suitable as an offering. It's light, fragrant, and has a fuller body than ginjō, so it's a treat to be savored.

Types of Cup for Japanese Sake

Ochoko (small sake cups)

For most of us, the ocha is the first cup we think of as sake. These tiny cups are everywhere in Japanese restaurants around the globe. Aside from being cute and fun to collect, ochoko allows you to demonstrate your sense of hospitality by frequently refilling your guests' cups, as is customary in Japan.

The ceramic wall of the cup keeps in the heat of the sake while protecting your fingers from burning. The choko is also a fun way to drink warm or hot sake in a social setting.

Is Ochoko the right cup for you?

  • Use this cup if you have a light, drier jjunmai-style sake that you'd like to drink warm or hot, especially if there are people at your party. Don't forget to refill your guests' cups!

Sakazuki

This is usually used in Japanese traditional ceremonies such as a wedding ceremony.

Another type of sake glass is called a sakazuki. It’s similar to a shochu glass, but it has a wider base. The shape of the sake bottle allows you to release more of the aroma of sake, which helps spread the sake to all parts of your mouth. This wider flow allows the sake to be better appreciated for its complex flavors. Because of the shape, you would have to lean your face forward and slowly sip it, which encourages you to enjoy the richer flavor of the sake.

Is Sakazuki the right cup for you?

  • You have a rich and full-bodied sake with high acidity that has earthy aromas when warm. Think yamahai junmais and kimoto junmas. If you like drinking warm sake or at room temperature, these are great for you.

Guinomi

Guinomi have the same size as yunomi (a Japanese tea cup).

They have a similar shape as the ochoko, but are larger. The larger rim of the cup helps aromas reach your nostrils and spreads the flow of sake to your palate so that you can enjoy its complex flavors.

It's easier to use because it doesn't require constant refilling. A handmade guinomi adds an additional tactile and visual dimension to drinking sake.

Is Guinomi the right cup for you?

  • If you're trying sake for the first time and don't know where you're going to end up. If you aren't sure if you want to warm or cool your sake, a Guinomi is suitable for all temperatures

Wine glass

Sake is traditionally served in a cup called a goblet, but you can drink it from a wine glass if you prefer. If you don't already have a sake cup in your kitchen, it is a good place to start if you're new to drinking sake.

Traditional sake cups tend to trap aromas and flavors, making them less enjoyable for people who don't drink sake. The stem and base allow you to swirl the sake around so that it can be coaxed out of the bottle.

Remember, the thin wall of the wine glass will not be comfy to drink hot or warm saké from, nor will it hold the heat well.

Is the wine glass the right cup for you?

  • If you like drinking aromatic ginjo or daiginjo sake that's chilled, or at room temperature, this would be the right cup for you.

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