What’s the difference between Japanese Sake and shochu?
Shochu is one of the traditional Japanese alcoholic drinks which has lots of potentials.
Regarding Japanese alcohol, two main types are often confused: sake and shochu. While both are sometimes made from the same ingredients, such as fermented rice, there are some critical differences between the two that make them unique. In this blog post, we’ll explore the differences between sake and shochu, so you can decide when ordering your next drink.
Sake is a Japanese rice wine brewed using a particular typeof rice called sakamai. The rice is polished to remove the outer layers, then steamed and mixed with koji, a mold that helps break down the starches in the rice. The mixture is then fermented with yeast and water to create sake. Sake is usually served warm or at room temperature and has a light, sweet flavor.
On the other hand, Shochu is a distilled spirit made from various ingredients, including rice, barley, sweet potatoes, and buckwheat. Unlike sake, shochu is not brewed but distilled, giving it a higher alcohol content. Shochu is usually served chilled or on the rocks and has a stronger, more robust flavor than sake. In my opinion, shochu with soda is on the rise these days.
When it comes to choosing between sake and shochu, it comes down to personal preference. If you’re looking for a light, sweet drink, sake is the way to go. If you’re looking for something with a bit more kick, shochu is the way to go. No matter which you choose, you’ll surely enjoy the unique flavor of Japanese alcohol.