Tag: sake

Japanese Cuisine · Sake Reviews

Ninki-Ichi Gold Junmai Daiginjo Review: A Clash Of Sweet And Savoury

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Within the sake industry, there’s an ongoing debate between the merits of junmai and non-junmai sake. Junmai sake contains no added alcohol, while non-junmai contains a small batch of brewer’s alcohol.

Depending on preferences, some might argue that junmai daiginjo is the holy grail of sake because of its connotations of being premium and pure.  Curious to find out about whether junmai daiginjo is a drink worth dying for, I recently tasted Ninki-Ichi Gold junmai daiginjo. Continue reading “Ninki-Ichi Gold Junmai Daiginjo Review: A Clash Of Sweet And Savoury” →

Japanese Cuisine · Pop Culture and Japan

What The Hell Is Koji? (Sake On Air Review)

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When it comes to unique drinking cultures, Japan is a country with plenty to talk about. Drinks like nihonshu and awamori are complex and contradictory, adding to the intrigue of the Japanese alcohol industry. For anyone who is interested in learning more about sake, there are podcasts like Sake On Air, which go into detail about the industry and why Japanese beverages have become so popular in the west.

Understanding the sake brewing process is an integral part of learning how to drink it and koji is an essential ingredient. In case you’re scratching your head and wondering what koji is, the creators of Sake On Air have released an episode that gives a helpful introduction into Japan’s national mold. Continue reading “What The Hell Is Koji? (Sake On Air Review)” →

Japanese Cuisine · Sake Reviews

The Drink Of Demon Hunters And Devil Killers: Genbei-San No Onikoroshi Honjozo

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The world of sake is made up of some of the most multifaceted drinks on the market. From the complex flavours of nihonshu, to the experiential drinking that comes from trying shochu, there’s plenty to enjoy about the Japanese alcohol industry. A traditional view of sake is that it meant to be consumed warm, but it can be enjoyed at cold temperatures as well.

When trying the Genbei-San No Onikoroshi, I opted for the traditionalist approach of having it served warm. The result was a sake that not only created a different drinking experience, but also gave me an appreciation for alternative forms of drinkware. Continue reading “The Drink Of Demon Hunters And Devil Killers: Genbei-San No Onikoroshi Honjozo” →

Japanese Cuisine · Sake Reviews

Junmai Ginjo Cel-24 Eternal Spring Review: A Delightful Namazake Bursting With Flavour

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Sake is one of the most fascinating aspects of Japanese culture. Whether it’s getting involved in a debate between the merits of junmai vs non-junmai sake, or learning about different brewing styles, nothing is ever as it seems in the sake industry. One topic can lead you down a rabbit hole and bring up a host of new questions and anecdotes.

The best way to learn about sake is to taste it, which is why I’m presenting a review of the  Kameizumi brewing company’s junmai ginjo Cel-24 Eternal Spring sake. Continue reading “Junmai Ginjo Cel-24 Eternal Spring Review: A Delightful Namazake Bursting With Flavour” →

Shochu Reviews

Starting My Journey Into The Realm Of Shochu With Bizan Clear

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Japanese sake consists of some of the most multifaceted drinks I’ve ever tasted, and it’s become something of a mission to improve my knowledge about as many different varieties as possible. Shochu is a big part of the sake world. Blended from a mixture of sweet potato, buckwheat, barley, kokuto brown sugar and other ingredients, shochu can be described as kind of diet whisky.

Having learned about shochu from the engaging Christopher Pellegrini, I tracked down a Japanese restaurant in my native city of Manchester that sold the beverage. Read on to discover my thoughts on trying shochu for the very first time. Continue reading “Starting My Journey Into The Realm Of Shochu With Bizan Clear” →

Pop Culture and Japan

10 Must-Follow Instagram Accounts That Celebrate Japanese Culture

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Instagram is a great channel for browsing new experiences and getting travel ideas, especially when it comes to Japan. There are a variety of memorable Instagram accounts that celebrate the Land of the Rising Sun. When looking to learn more about Japan, it’s worth checking Instagram to get an idea of certain destinations and locals.

That’s why I’ve put together a list of 10 brilliant Instagram accounts that celebrate Japan in various formats. Whether it’s tattoos, travel, food or sake, these Instagrammers have an eye for photography. Continue reading “10 Must-Follow Instagram Accounts That Celebrate Japanese Culture” →

Japanese Cuisine

6 Sake Experts Worth Knowing About

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Sake is one of the most fascinating aspects of Japanese culture, running the gamut from social drinks like nihonshu,to versatile beverages like shochu. The world of sake is contradictory and complex, but there are experts out there who can guide you through the landscape of Japanese alcohol. They are the people who see sake as a calling and have dedicated themselves to bringing greater awareness to the industry. From a shochu professional to the world’s leading non-Japanese sake evangelist, here are six sake experts that you need to know about. Continue reading “6 Sake Experts Worth Knowing About” →

Japanese Cuisine · Sake Reviews

My First Ever Sake Review: Akashi-Tai Honjozo Tokubetsu

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Over the past few months I’ve found myself becoming increasingly fascinated with the world of sake. And thanks to the likes of the Sake On Air podcast and books like John Gauntner’s Sake Confidential, I’ve been motivated to go out and try nihonshu for myself. So, when I came across the Akashi-Tai honjozo tokubetsu, I was excited, intimidated and curious at all once. Continue reading “My First Ever Sake Review: Akashi-Tai Honjozo Tokubetsu” →

Japanese Cuisine · Pop Culture and Japan

Improve Your Knowledge Of Sake By Listening To The Fascinating Sake On Air Podcast

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It’s no secret that podcasts have become one of the most popular forms of content. Not only can they be accessed from anywhere, but they also provide a quick source of information for listeners who want to learn about new topics. That’s exactly what’s happened for me by listening to the Sake On Air podcast, a show that explores the wonderfully complex world of sake and the people who are passionate about it. Continue reading “Improve Your Knowledge Of Sake By Listening To The Fascinating Sake On Air Podcast” →

Poetry

Ginjo To Die For

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I’ll never forget the day I walked into a Japanese restaurant

And saw people fighting over a bottle of nihonshu

It was carnage

Middle-aged women tossed cutlery at each other

While young bloods tussled around on the floor

Kicking, biting and squirming to get a taste

One diner even used her pearl necklace as a garotte

And when she’d stepped over the competition

She tried to lift the bottle until the veins popped in her head

(I don’t think she read the label)

Is there such a thing as sake in the stone?

I’m not sure

But it didn’t stop other contenders from trying

Each person crawled through the war zone

Determined to prove their worthiness

But the bottle refused to budge

In the wake of such overwhelming chaos

Where was I?

I was enjoying a sip of cold futsushu

Some drinks don’t have to be premium

Some drinks are worthy enough