japanese drinks

Sake

Sake is a rice-based fermented liquor that, like shochu, has been delighting taste buds in Japan since ancient times. It is so loved by Japanese that a party is just not party without a good supply. Most often consumed with a meal, sake is the best companion for Japanese cuisine, creating a synergy that brings out the full flavor of the food. Delicious sake, which requires good quality water and rice, is a work of art that embodies Japanese wisdom and skill. Sake has been exported to other countries for some time, and improvements in quality have sparked greater foreign demand recently. Sake comes from various regions in many different varieties and brands. The flavor and aroma of each type are best experienced at a certain temperature range-chilled, room temperature, warm, or hot.

Shochu

This distinctively Japanese beverage is a distilled liquor found in different varieties in each region. Varieties include rice liquors, potato liquors, wheat liquors, and awamori. Shochu has a long shelf life, and can be stored for decades if kept in a cool, shaded place. Its big appeal is that it can be enjoyed in all sorts of styles, satisfying the individual preferences of any drinker. A shochu craze is now sweeping across Japan, creating many fans amongst young people in particular. Shochu can be enjoyed in many ways, whether it be on the rocks or mixed with hot water, cold water, tea, soda, or fruit juice. Note that hot water shochu is best prepared by pouring the shochu into the hot water, as this will mix them better and provide a more pleasing combination.

Japanese Green Tea

Green tea was first used in China during the Song Dynasty, and brought to Japan by Myoan Eisai, a Japanese Buddhist priest who also introduced the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism. Japanese green tea is produced by steaming freshly picked tea leaves to prevent their fermentation. It is now being rediscovered as a health food, as its rich balance of vitamins helps to fend off colds and enhance the complexion. The best Japanese green tea is said to be that from the Yame region of Fukuoka Prefecture and the Uji region of Kyoto Shizuoka Prefecture.