When it comes to Japan’s customary and culinary landscape, few things are as recognizable, revered, and reveled in as sake. Often called nihonshu in Japan, sake holds a special place in the country’s culture, with a rich history dating back centuries. Over time, this traditional Japanese alcoholic beverage — made from meticulously fermented and filtered rice, koji, and water — has grown in popularity far beyond the borders of Japan. Sake drinkers, worldwide, savor its unique yet versatile flavors, often pairing it with their favorite Japanese and western dishes, all while marveling at the intricacies of traditional sake culture.
A deeply-rooted customary drink
The art of brewing and drinking sake in Japan is traceable to the 3rd century AD, with written accounts of the beverage being consumed as part of the rites of mourning. Scholars believe, however, that production of the alcoholic rice-based drink in Japan may date to as far back as the 5th century BC, with roots in rice cultivation in China, the customs of which made their way to Japan. Regardless of its origin, sake is deeply ingrained in Japanese history and customs.
Over the centuries, sake-making evolved into a sophisticated craft, with various techniques and regional styles emerging. Ingredients, water quality, and the expertise of the toji or brewers play crucial roles in creating the nuances of the final product.
Over the centuries, sake-making evolved into a sophisticated craft, with various techniques and regional styles emerging. Ingredients, water quality, and the expertise of the toji or brewers play crucial roles in creating the nuances of the final product. Moreover, the delicate balance of these elements contributes to the amazing array of sake types, from fresh and floral to rich and robust.
One of the key factors in sake production is the type of rice used. Sake rice, or shuzo-kotekimai, is distinctively different from the rice varieties used in daily meals. Sake rice grains are larger and contain a higher proportion of starch, which is essential for fermentation. The milling process, where the outer layers of the rice are polished away, further refines the sake’s taste and character. Different milling rates result in various classifications, such as junmai, ginjo, and daiginjo, each representing a level of rice polishing and a specific flavor profile.
Beyond sake’s spiritual significance
The Japanese appreciate sake not only for the diversity of its flavor profiles, but also for its rich cultural significance. Traditionally, the Japanese have held sake in high spiritual regard, having been viewed as a way to communicate with the gods. In Shintoism, the drink was customarily an offering of mortals to the gods, to appease them and bond with them, especially in times of supplication.
This aspect of drinking sake to form a shared bond with deities eventually extended between person to person; the Japanese ceremony of pouring and receiving sake, known as sakazuki, grew to symbolize bonding and mutual respect. The sake-sharing ritual is often seen in weddings, religious ceremonies, and other important community-based celebrations. The deeply rooted connection between sake and Japanese customs has helped shape its enduring popularity in Japan; its pleasantly sweet, crisp, and easy-to-drink flavor profiles, often marked by floral and fruity undertones, has helped propel its international acclaim. Beyond its role in traditional ceremonies, sake has become a fashionable drink with the trendy set. Mixologists and cocktail enthusiasts, alike, clamor for sake-based cocktails, like the saketini and sake mojito.
The ever-growing global interest in Japanese cuisine, especially in izakaya-style restaurants, has further bolstered the popularity of sake, both as a drink to enjoy on its own or when paired with an array of dishes, from succulent sashimi and sushi creations to savory grilled meats. Foodies have realized that sake is easy to pair with a variety of dishes, and — while there are guidelines to these pairings — the only hard-and-fast rule is one’s personal enjoyment of the drink with the dish.
Sake, on global showcase
With sake having whetted the global palate, numerous Japanese restaurants worldwide now showcase an extensive selection of the customary beverage. Moreover, sake breweries, or kura, have embraced modern technology while preserving traditional methods of brewing this ancient beverage. This blend of innovation and heritage has given rise to the creation of unique sake varieties — such as fruit infusions, nuances in aging, and variations in levels of rice polishing — both on larger and more artisanal scales of brewing. Big brewers and craft brewers, alike, have taken to experimenting with various sake techniques, attracting a new generation of sake aficionados.
Big brewers and craft brewers, alike, have taken to experimenting with various sake techniques, attracting a new generation of sake aficionados.
The global recognition of sake has likewise prompted collaborations between Japanese breweries and international beverage companies, with limited-edition releases, collaborative brews, and international sake competitions — all of which have further elevated sake’s status on the global stage. Sake festivals, both in Japan and internationally, have become annual events, attracting thousands of participants eager to explore the diversity of this traditional rice wine.
For instance, in Japan’s neighboring country, the Philippines, the recently concluded 20th Grand Wine Experience featured 20 sake brewers from different prefectures across Japan. Regarded as Southeast Asia’s biggest, longest-standing, and most anticipated wine event, this year’s installation featured over 1000 expertly curated wines, spirits, sakes, and beers from across the globe. Already, the organizing group, Philippine Wine Merchants, has announced a first-of-its-kind sake festival in 2024.
Transcending time-honored tradition
Indeed, customary sake culture has transcended its traditional, time-honored origins to become a global phenomenon. Its popularity is no longer confined to Japan but has spread across borders, captivating the palates of wine and spirits enthusiasts, worldwide. The intricate brewing process that goes into each bottle of sake, the cultural and spiritual significance upon which sake is founded, and sake’s adaptability to modern tastes have all largely contribute to the enduring appeal of this venerable Japanese beverage.
Sake continues to evolve and to enrapture new audiences; a testament to its enduring, exquisite enchantment. From ancient tradition to global icon, sake has truly come a long way up the lane of lauded libations.
