Kohei Nito

Learn Sake

Acidity is a common metric listed on sake back labels and websites, though not all producers disclose this information. But how much weight should you give it when selecting a bottle? Understanding acidity and other numerical indicators on a sake label offers valuable insight into a brewer’s craftsmanship and the sake’s flavor profile, enhancing the enjoyment of discovery. In this article, we explore what acidity means in the context of sake and how it influences taste.

Learn about the Acidity of Sake - Meaning of the Numbers, Types and the Relationship with Flavor

Sake Street Editorial Team

New Trends in the Sake Industry

What do women working in the traditional Japanese sake industry think about the gender gap?  In recent years, the principles of DEI—Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion—have gained significant attention across industries worldwide. Reflecting this shift, SAKE Street's feature series "Sake and Women" explores the experiences of women, a historically underrepresented group in the sake industry. This initiative seeks to uncover the challenges they face and propose ways to create a more inclusive and equitable workplace where everyone can contribute without barriers.  In the first installment, we examined the challenges and potential solutions for improving the working environment in sake manufacturing, drawing insights from a survey of 50 women. This time, in the second installment, we hosted a roundtable discussion with five women excelling in non-manufacturing fields, such as restaurants, liquor stores, and social media influencing. They shared their experiences, highlighting moments of discomfort in their sake-related activities and offering perspectives on their career paths.

Women in the Sake World: Five Female Professionals Share Candid Insights (2-3)

Sakagura

Niizawa Sake Brewery, renowned for its exceptional sake quality, is a name that frequently appears among the top prize winners at sake competitions. Based in Miyagi Prefecture, the brewery has attracted attention with bold innovations and actions, such as achieving an incredible rice polishing ratio of 0% and appointing a 22-year-old as head brewer—a groundbreaking move at the time. In recent years, the brewery has continued to push boundaries by establishing ventures like a gin distillery and a staffing agency, embracing new challenges to diversify its operations.  However, the path to success was far from smooth.  When Iwao Niizawa, the fifth-generation head of the brewery, took over 24 years ago, the company was burdened with 200 million yen in debt and ranked among the lowest in the prefecture in sake quality competitions. Since then, the brewery has transformed itself into a global leader, supported by a team of skilled artisans, including a young female chief brewer, whose collective efforts exemplify a relentless pursuit of excellence.  In this article, we delve into the remarkable journey of Niizawa Brewery—how it overcame adversity, including the Great East Japan Earthquake, to achieve world-class recognition—and explore the organizational strength that underpins its continued success.

Achieving Three Consecutive World Titles Through Technical Excellence - Niizawa Sake Brewery, Miyagi

On December 5th, during the Intergovernmental Committee meeting held in Asuncion, Paraguay, “Traditional knowledge and skills of sake-making with koji mold in Japan” was officially recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.  Leading up to this decision, in November, the evaluation body’s recommendation for registration sparked optimism within Japan’s sake industry and media, with many expressing hopes that this recognition would serve as a significant catalyst for the global spread of sake.  However, the designation as Intangible Cultural Heritage brings certain complexities. For instance, its use in commercial advertising is restricted, and the precise definition of “traditional knowledge and skills of sake-making” remains unclear to some, prompting questions such as, “What types of sake are included?”  So, what exactly does traditional sake making encompass, and what implications might this registration have for expanding sake’s presence overseas?  In this article, we’ll explore these questions further, including insights from an interview with the Agency for Cultural Affairs, and highlight key considerations for leveraging UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in promotional contexts.

What is “Traditional Sake Making”, Recently Added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage?

Sparkling sake has become a popular beverage in recent years, celebrated for its crisp, effervescent sensation. With a growing selection of fruity, low-alcohol varieties, this category has captured the attention of both domestic and international consumers. Sparkling sake’s accessibility in supermarkets and retail outlets worldwide has further broadened its appeal, offering a refreshing option for a diverse range of palates.  As more breweries embrace the production of sparkling sake, the question arises: how did this unique category develop, and what has driven its growing global appeal? In this article, we delve into the production methods, the history of sparkling sake, and highlight some must-try products for the international market.

Sparkling Sake: Learn about the Production Process and History

In recent years, more companies have shifted from using the term “diversity” to the broader acronym “DEI”—Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion—to describe their initiatives and strategies. DEI represents a state where individuals of diverse genders, nationalities, and abilities collaborate in an equitable and inclusive environment.  In the SAKE Street feature “Women in the Sake World,” a three-part series, we spotlight women, a group historically marginalized within the sake industry, to examine what is necessary to build a more inclusive landscape—one where all individuals can work without barriers.  As gender diversity gains recognition globally, with more people acknowledging identities beyond the traditional male-female binary, many industries are actively addressing gender-related challenges to foster comfort and equity. However, the sake industry, steeped in tradition, is still on the journey toward this transformation.  In the first installment of this series, we delve into the unique challenges women face in sake brewing, drawing on insights from a survey (*) of 50 women who have worked in the field. What barriers do these women encounter as they pursue careers in sake brewing, and what steps are needed to ensure they can thrive in this industry long-term?  *The survey was conducted online from June 5th to 20th, 2024. We received 50 responses through social media, the female brewery workers' community, and other means of dissemination. The breakdown was 50% for those in charge of production and 50% for those not in charge of production.

Women in the Sake World: Challenges that Breweries Need to Overcome in Order to Accept a Diverse Range of Workers (1-3)

Maibijin, known among aficionados as the "deviant sake," is unforgettable once tasted, captivating enthusiasts with its unique flavor. But how is Maibijin, with its distinctive strong acidity, crafted? In this article, we delve into the secrets of its taste through a brewery tour report and an interview with the brewer Mikawa Shuzojo and its master brewer, Kinya Mikawa.

Maibijin, the King of Acidic Sake - Mikawa Shuzojo, Fukui

Rice is one of the key factors in determining the quality of sake. The rice used in sake brewing differs from everyday eating rice, as it has been specially cultivated to enhance the flavor of sake. In this article, we will explore the characteristics of high-quality sake rice and the grading system used to assess it.

What is Good Rice for Sake Brewing? - Learn about the Characteristics and Grades

Water is a critical component in the production of sake, comprising approximately 80% of its ingredients. Many brewers underscore the unique role of water in sake-making, distinguishing it from wine, which is made without the use of water. While rice can be transported over long distances, the vast quantities of water required for brewing make it impractical to move, meaning the availability of high-quality water has historically been a key factor when selecting a brewery location.  However, discussions surrounding water’s regional characteristics are often limited to its hardness—whether it’s soft or hard water—leaving much unknown about the specific qualities of water in different regions. To address this gap, the Yamanashi Prefecture Sake Brewers Association launched a comprehensive water quality research project from 2023 to 2024. Spearheaded by a team of geologists, the project delved into the geology of Yamanashi Prefecture to explore how it influences the water used in sake production.  To what extent can the relationship between local water sources and the character of sake be scientifically traced? In this article, we explore the findings of this groundbreaking research and examine how regional water quality shapes the unique terroir of sake.

Exploring the Potential of Water in Sake Terroir: A Yamanashi Prefecture Water Quality Research Project

Toshi

Rice, which is the raw ingredient for sake, contains starch. While starch is the source of sugar, it in itself does not contain any sugar. Therefore, another ingredient, koji, is indispensable for sake brewing, allowing the production of alcohol from rice.

Koji, the main character in sake brewing! The process and how it gives sake its qualities

Are you familiar with "kijoshu"? A type of Japanese sake, it can be increasingly spotted on restaurant menus or lining the shelves of liquor stores. Kijoshu* is a sake with a rich sweetness and elegance. Thick yet sophisticated, it offers an allure to be enjoyed different from generic sake. Here, we will see the definition and history of kijoshu, how it is processed, and the characteristics of its taste. At the end we also have some ideas for pairing which we hope will get you started.

Rich sweet dessert sake!  Learn about the manufacturing method and tastes of "kijoshu"

Nobuyuki Kubota

Most people know that sake is made from rice and water but what about the actual process? When you know how sake is made, you will be able to better enjoy it as you have an increased appreciation for the various methods to get it to taste the way it does. The exact process of brewing sake differs from brewery to brewery but I will illustrate here the general process.

How is Japanese sake made?

Within sake making, there is the step of making "shubo". As the adage "First koji, then moto, and lastly tsukuri" highlights, the second most important element of sake making is this "moto" which is just another name for shubo or yeast starter. Depending on the type of shubo, the process is slightly different, each giving the resulting sake a unique taste and aroma which we will explore.

Demystifying the shubo in sake

Sake & Health

Often heard that they don’t drink sake because it makes them fat. It is true that Japanese sake is sweeter compared to other alcohol and perhaps the fact that it is made from rice gives it this image. But is this really the case? For us who drink nothing but sake, this is a crucial matter and definitely worth investigating.

Is it true that Japanese sake makes you fat?

Ever seen the words 'polishing ratio xx %' written on a sake bottle? The polishing ratio greatly affects the taste and aroma of sake. It also affects whether you are permitted to call the sake certain names such as 'Junmai Daiginjo' and 'Ginjo'. By understanding the polishing ratio, you will be able to better understand the sake that you choose, so let's take a look!

What is the "Polishing Ratio" often seen on Japanese Sake?

One unique characteristic of Japanese sake compared to wine or beer is that it can be enjoyed at a wider range of temperatures. Changing the temperature even slightly can alter the aroma and taste, and therefore the same sake can be joined in multiple ways depending on your mood! At the same time, if you have it at the wrong temperature it can also ruin the sake, killing the very features that make it! Here I will be sharing with you how sake changes at different temperatures as well as how to select a suitable temperature according to the type of sake.

Hot or cold? The perfect temperature for your sake

What are the ingredients of sake? What would be your answer to the question? Many might wonder what else than rice? Or, those who are extremely knowledgeable might wonder how much detail they should include. In this article, we cover what ingredients constitute sake.