Sake Tasting

Yes, most of your have probably done the wine tasting, and cheese tasting, but have you tried sake tasting?

Most people in the US have very little knowledge of sake. Sake in Japan refers to all alcohol, and what most Americans drink or call "sake" are really known as "nihhonshu" (prepared by brewing milled rice, water, yeast and other ingredients."

Moreover, a lot of Americans drink Sake warmed, but this is not how all sake should be served. yes, they do serve sake warm in Japan, but not all sake.

You can bring a new delightful twist to your next "tasting" party by hosting a SAKE-Sampling party. Things to note before your party: sake is categorized by the amount of rice grains polished. More polishing makes for a purer product.

Experts have suggested, like wine, you should serve from the lighter tasting to the heavier, more complex sake.

Example of what to serve:
Start with Junmai sake (amde with water and rice that has a 30% polish) - this of this as your regular table wine

Then move to Junmai ginjo (this will taste aromatic, with floral and anise with a smooth clean texture)

next, try a Honjozo sake - example: Ohkagura HOnjozo (made with distilled alcohol and rice) This one will taste rich and creamy with nutty aromas and a sweeter more full bodied texture.

Finish with a Daiginjo ( a combination of distilled alcohol and 50% polished rice). Try Nobu Diginjo - this is a full flavored sake with an assertive nutty aroma.

All of the above should be served Chilled!

Also, stay away from ceramic cups, those are usually reserved for warmed sake. Use wine glasses or shot glasses instead, or you want to be really fancy, you can buy glass sake cups.

And it is not necessary for oyu to serve sushi with your tasting, you can serve it with any beef, game or duck.

or to really show off your sake knowledge, do food paring as if you are serving wine. For example, Juneau jinjo are good with seafood and honkies are excellent with fried foods. But who really cares - as along as there is good food let your taste bud tell you which sake goes best with which food!