For Goodness' Sake: 6 types of sake and ways to indulge in the goodness of sake
In the land of the rising sun, where tradition and innovation coalesce seamlessly, one finds Japanese sake (酒 rice wine), an age-old beverage deeply rooted in the nation's culture and heritage. Often referred to as nihonshu (日本酒) in Japanese, sake holds a revered position in Japanese society, not merely as an alcoholic beverage, but as a symbol of hospitality, craftsmanship, and refined taste.
Within the realm of premium-grade sake, connoisseurs encounter a spectrum of flavours and complexities, each type embodying the meticulous artistry of its creators. Additionally, the pleasures of sake extend beyond the realm of drinking, weaving into various aspects of daily life.
In this article, we explore six ways to savour the goodness of this beloved beverage. But first, let us introduce the six types of premium-grade sake:
6 types of premium-grade sake
The more polished the rice grains are, the higher the grade of sake. (Image credit: photoAC)
Before we delve into the grades of sake, let us understand a bit more about the brewing process. Sake is made with rice, koji mold and water, and depending on whether brewer’s alcohol is added, the type of grade differs. Another factor leading to the difference in grade is the milling ratio (精米歩合 seimaibuai). The milling ratio is the remaining amount of rice grain left after it is polished during production, and the lower the milling ratio, the higher the grade. A lower milling ratio usually also results in a lighter and cleaner flavour.
There are six types of premium-grade sake. (Image credit: Carissa Loh)
Honjōzō (本醸造)
Honjozō has brewer’s alcohol added during the production process, and has a milling ratio below 70%.
Junmai (純米)
Junmai literally means “pure rice”, and refers to sake with no brewer’s alcohol added―made with just rice, koji mold and water―with a milling ratio of below 70%. Junmai (as well as Junmai Ginjōand Junmai Daiginjō) have fuller bodied flavours that are enjoyable when served at warm temperatures.
Ginjō (吟醸)
Ginjō is sake which has had brewer’s alcohol added, with a milling ratio below 60%.
Junmai Ginjō (純米吟醸)
Junmai Ginjō is sake without brewer’s alcohol added, with a milling ratio below 60%.
Daiginjō (大吟醸)
Daiginjō is sake which has had brewer’s alcohol added, with a milling ratio below 50%. The low milling ratio is an indication that this sake takes a lot of time and care to create, requiring a high level of craftsmanship.
Junmai Daiginjō (純米大吟醸)
At the pinnacle of sake excellence lies Junmai Daiginjō, a testament to the dedication of sake artisans. This is a type of sake without brewer’s alcohol added, with a milling ratio below 50%, which is achieved by intensive labour. Junmai Daiginjo is usually sweet, clean, and very easy to drink.
6 ways to enjoy sake
Indulge in the goodness of sake. (Image credit: photoAC)
Beyond simply drinking it, there are numerous creative and immersive ways to enjoy the essence of Japanese sake. From tasting experiences to culinary experiences to pamper sessions, here are six ways to immerse yourself in the world of sake and fully appreciate its depth and complexity.
① Drink to your heart's content with sake-tasting at Ponshukan
Try a drink or two, or five or twenty. (Image credit: Carissa Loh)
Whether you’re a newbie to sake who doesn’t know what to try, or a budding connoisseur who wants to try many different varieties in small quantities, Ponshukan (ぽんしゅ館) can solve your sake cravings! Available at Echigo-Yuzawa Station (越後湯沢駅), Nagaoka Station (長岡駅), and Niigata Station (新潟駅) in Niigata Prefecture―the prefecture with the highest number of sake breweries in Japan―Ponshukan is an amazing store where you can sample sake to your heart’s content. It is filled with many machines that dispense an extensive variety of over 100 types of sake and alcoholic beverages from Niigata’s 90+ breweries.
Ponshukan: a sake-lover’s heaven. (Image credit: JR East / Carissa Loh)
Ponshukan allows you to explore the diverse flavours and aromas of sake, ranging from crisp and dry to rich and full-bodied. Whether you're a sake connoisseur or a novice enthusiast, Ponshukan provides a fun environment to discover new favourites and expand your palate.
② Learn more about sake by going on a sake brewery tour
Going on a tour of Tokyo’s Sawanoi Ozawa Brewery. (Image credit: Carissa Loh)
For a deeper understanding of the sake-making process and the craftsmanship behind this beloved beverage, embarking on a sake brewery tour is an enriching experience not to be missed. Many sake breweries across Japan welcome visitors and offer guided tours where you can witness first-hand the meticulous steps involved in brewing sake, from polishing the rice grains to fermenting the mash.
Brewery tours usually end with a tasting session. (Image credit: Carissa Loh)
These tours often conclude with tasting sessions, allowing you to appreciate the nuances of each sake variant while gaining insights into the local brewing traditions and techniques. It's an immersive journey that fosters a greater appreciation for the artistry and heritage of sake production.
③ Sink your teeth into sake-flavoured confectionery like Kit Kat, ice cream, and castella cakes
Sake-flavoured KitKat. (Image credit: lukethephotographer / CC BY 2.0)
Sake isn't limited to just liquid form; it also finds its way into various culinary delights, including confectionery. Japan boasts a plethora of sake-infused treats, ranging from sake-flavoured KitKat bars to creamy sake-flavoured ice cream to sake-flavoured pound cakes to sake-infused chocolates.
Fancy some sake-flavoured ice cream or Daiginjō castella? (Image credit: Carissa Loh)
These delectable creations offer a unique twist on familiar confections, with the subtle notes of sake adding depth and complexity to each bite. Munching on sake-flavored confectionery provides a delightful culinary adventure, allowing you to explore the harmonious fusion of sweet and savoury elements while celebrating the essence of Japanese sake in a delectable form that won’t get you drunk.
Some sake breweries like Dassai (獺祭) and Hakkaisan (八海山) produce their own sake-flavoured ice cream, while others make sake-infused pound cakes, castella cakes, and even chocolates!
④ Pamper yourself with sake-infused hand creams and cosmetics
Sake-infused cosmetics from Jozen Mizunogotoshi. (Image credit: Carissa Loh)
Sake's beneficial properties extend beyond the realm of gastronomy, making it a suitable ingredient in skincare products and cosmetics. Embrace the luxurious indulgence of sake-infused beauty products, where ancient traditions meet modern skincare innovation. Sake-based beauty products are celebrated for their brightening and anti-aging effects, attributed to sake's amino acids and kojic acids.
Jozen Mizunogotoshi (上善如水), a well-known sake brand from Niigata, makes skincare products infused with sake. Treat yourself to luxurious sake-infused hand creams, serums infused with sake extracts, and facial masks enriched with sake ferment, and experience the transformative power of sake-enhanced skincare. Not only do these products nourish your skin, but also leave you feeling pampered and rejuvenated.
⑤ Take a dip in sake-infused hot springs
Soak in sake-infused hot springs. (Image credit: photoAC)
Love sake and seeking relaxation and rejuvenation? Take a dip in a sake-infused hot spring (温泉 onsen). These baths have sake added to the water, with the contents supposedly encouraging better blood circulation and the gentle cleaning of pores.
For a quick dip while waiting for trains, try out the sake-infused onsen at Echigo-Yuzawa Station, the sakeburo (駅の中の温泉（酒風呂）). For an “onsen theme park” experience, try the various beverage-infused hot springs at the Hakone Kowakien YUNESSUN spa resort (箱根小涌園 ユネッサン), which has various different onsen infused with beverages such as sake, wine, and coffee.
⑥ Ride a sake-themed train, the Koshino Shu*Kura
Koshino Shu*Kura, a sake-themed sightseeing train. (Image credit: Carissa Loh)
For a truly immersive sake experience, hop aboard the Koshino Shu*Kura, a sake-themed train that traverses the picturesque landscapes of Niigata, one of Japan’s top sake-producing regions. This unique train journey offers passengers the opportunity to taste a curated selection of local sake brands while enjoying breathtaking seaside views along the route.
The Koshino Shu*Kura offers many opportunities to sample Niigata’s sake. (Image credit: Carissa Loh)
The Koshino Shu*Kura also features a sake bar selling various sake sampler sets, its own original Daiginjо̄ sake, on-board sake tastings, and special meals paired with sake, providing a comprehensive exploration of Japan's rich sake culture in a relaxed and scenic setting.
BONUS: Stop by JAPAN RAIL CAFE for a sake experience
(Image credit: JAPAN RAIL CAFE Singapore)
If you’re reading this article from sunny Singapore, here’s a recommendation for a unique sake experience closer to home! From Mid-May 2024, JAPAN RAIL CAFE Singapore will undergo a brand new sake transformation, courtesy of a brand collaboration with Isego Honten. Along with this revamp comes a bevy of special sake-themed events and promotions, including:
- A gigantic retail selection of sake bottles imported by East Japan Railway Trading Asia, many of which are sent directly from their breweries and you won’t find anywhere else in Singapore,
- A $2.50++ per piece oyster platter promotion with every purchase of a 90 ml cup of sake.
- Monthly sake masterclasses, conducted by certified sake sommeliers featuring a variety of topics for both seasoned and uninitiated sake enjoyers.
- All-you-can-drink $47.90++ Sake Saturdays, with a rotating series of bottles every week that you can enjoy until closing.
- …and many more to be announced in the future!
For more information on the above promotions and more, you can visit JAPAN RAIL CAFE’s Instragram, where the latest news and menus are updated on a regular basis.
Kanpai!
Kanpai! (Image credit: photoAC)
Not just a beverage, sake is a cultural phenomenon that offers a myriad of avenues for exploration and enjoyment. Whether you're indulging in a sake-tasting session at Ponshukan, immersing yourself in the art of sake brewing on a brewery tour, treating yourself to sake-infused delicacies, or pampering your senses with sake-infused cosmetics, each encounter with sake unveils a new dimension of appreciation and delight. Embark on a journey of discovery, enrichment, and sensory delight through the world of Japanese sake, and celebrate the timeless allure of this beloved beverage. Kanpai!
Header image credit: photoAC
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