Tag: awamori

The Kokoro Files: Christopher Pellegrini
The Kokoro Files

The Kokoro Files: Christopher Pellegrini

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The Kokoro Files shares the stories of people and their connection to Japan, and this edition is particularly exciting for me because I had the opportunity to chat with one of the world’s leading authorities on shochu, Chris Pellegrini. A Japanese spirit evangelist, Chris is passionate about spreading the gospel of shochu and awamori. He definitely made a convert out of me!

From talking shochu 101, to clearing up the differences between shochu and Korean soju, we cover a lot of ground in this interview. Read on to discover the exciting world of Japan’s indigenous spirit. Who knows? By the time you’ve finished reading you might be ready to jump down the rabbit hole.

Continue reading “The Kokoro Files: Christopher Pellegrini” →

Pop Culture and Japan

Embrace The Awesomeness Of Awamori (Sake On Air Review)

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Experiencing a new culture through the lens of food and drink is a great way to connect to a different part of the world without having to hop on a plane. If you ever plan to travel to Okinawa, it’s worth knowing about the island’s indigenous spirit awamori and its importance to local history.

But what exactly is awamori and how does it differ from other Japanese drinks like nihonshu and shochu? Sake On Air recently released an awamori episode that reveals why it’s worth trying this little known spirit. Continue reading “Embrace The Awesomeness Of Awamori (Sake On Air Review)” →

Awamori Reviews

Harusame Kari Awamori Review: A Tsunami Of Flavour That Keeps On Building!

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Harusame Kari awamori is rich, creamy, nutty and sweet.

Japanese spirits like awamori have some of the most unique brewing methods and flavours profiles to be found anywhere on the planet. Awamori comes from Okinawa and packs more of a punch than nihonshu and shochu with an ABV that ranges from between 30% – 43%.

Harusame Kari, produced by Miyazato Distillery, is a multi-layered drink that stacks oodles of flavour on top of each other. And the only reason I was able to discover it was by paying a visit to the UK’s first sake brewery Kanpai in Peckham. The stars had truly aligned for an awesome drinking experience. Continue reading “Harusame Kari Awamori Review: A Tsunami Of Flavour That Keeps On Building!” →

Japanese Cuisine · Pop Culture and Japan

6 Of The Best Places To Buy Sake In The UK

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Kanpai Brewery is one of the best places to drink sake in the U.K.

Japanese sake is experiencing a renaissance in the west. More information is available for demystifying Japan’s national alcohol, while sake-related organisations, breweries and sommeliers are breaking down misconceptions about nihonshu and experimenting with a variety of amazing flavours.

One of the most dynamic western markets for sake is the UK and there are some great places to get it if you know where to look. With that said, here are six of the best places to get your sake fix in the UK! Continue reading “6 Of The Best Places To Buy Sake In The UK” →

Japanese Cuisine · Pop Culture and Japan

Experience The Magic Of The UK’s Sake Revolution At Kanpai Brewery In London

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Kanpai Brewery in Peckham is a hidden gem and well worth visiting for the craft sake selection.

It’s an exciting time for the sake industry in the UK. A steady surge in popularity has led to consumers seeking more information about Japan’s national alcohol and one of the best places to start your journey into the realm of nihonshu is in the UK’s first sake brewery, Kanpai. Located in Peckham, Kanpai Brewery is the definition of a hidden gem.

Continue reading “Experience The Magic Of The UK’s Sake Revolution At Kanpai Brewery In London” →

Awamori Reviews

Higa Zanpa White Awamori Review: The Perfect Introductory Drink To Okinawan Moonshine

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Higa Zanpa White is a perfect introductory awamori.

Awamori is one of the most unique Japanese beverages in the world. Made in Okinawa, awamori shares similarities with nihonshu and shochu, but it only uses black koji mould and Thai indica rice in the production process. The result is a powerful distilled spirit that can go as high as a 43% ABV.

I recently had the pleasure of trying my first awamori at a Japan House London event that featured a tasting session of rare Japanese drinks. The Higa Zanpa White, created by the Higa Shuzo brewery, ranks among the most memorable tipple that I’ve drank so far! Continue reading “Higa Zanpa White Awamori Review: The Perfect Introductory Drink To Okinawan Moonshine” →

Japanese Cuisine · Pop Culture and Japan

Shochu And Awamori: The Spirits Of Japan Review: An Enlightening Event From Japan House London

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The Shochu And Awamori: Spirits Of Japan event from Japan London House was a great introduction into Japanese spirits.

In the UK, sake is experiencing a steady increase in popularity and consumers are starting to seek more information about it. And as the interest grows, it’s creating the opportunity for lesser known Japanese drinks to be discovered like shochu. And a venue that’s the perfect setting for showcasing the brilliance of shochu is Japan House London.

I recently attended Shochu And Awamori: The Spirits Of Japan, an event which served as an introduction into the wonderful world of Japanese spirits. A collaboration between Japan London House, the Kagoshima Shochu Makers Association (KSMA) and Japan’s National Tax Agency (NTA), the event was truly enlightening. Continue reading “Shochu And Awamori: The Spirits Of Japan Review: An Enlightening Event From Japan House London” →

Poetry

Aspergillus Oryzae

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I remember having a conversation with a mate of mine about koji

And he asked me why I found mould so exciting

He was of the opinion that if it grew in damp attics

Then it had no business being around food and drink

After swallowing the urge to punch the ignorance out of him

I realised that he had a valid point

How do you make mould sound exciting?

Imagine finding a secret ingredient that had existed for centuries

But you were one of only a handful of people who knew what it was

An ingredient so versatile that it changed the profile of anything it was added to

Magic at your fingertips

White, black and yellow gold

The crown jewel in the craftsmanship of nihonshu

The key to unlocking a smooth shochu

The kick that makes a potent awamori

When koji-kin rains

It carries the hopes and dreams of tojis

Breaking their backs for the act of creation

I explained all of this to my mate

And he said I need to get out more

So, we went for Japanese food

And he tried sake for the first time

I’d call that a victory

Book Reviews

The Complete Guide To Japanese Drinks Review: The Kind Of Book That Will Make You Fall In Love With Japanese Booze

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Japan has a long tradition of producing some of the most unique alcoholic drinks in the world. From fruity tasting nihonshu to eclectic shochu, Japanese sake has a rich, complex history that has never been told in full until now. The Complete Guide To Japanese Drinks, written by Stephen Lyman and Chris Bunting, is a comprehensive and engrossing text on Japanese alcohol.

Lyman takes readers on a journey through sake, shochu, awamori, umeshu and Japan’s interpretation of western drinks like whisky and gin. Compelling, informative and rich in detail, The Complete Guide To Japanese Drinks is a must-read book for anyone with an interest in Japanese culture. Continue reading “The Complete Guide To Japanese Drinks Review: The Kind Of Book That Will Make You Fall In Love With Japanese Booze” →