1/5/2024 0 Comments The number one spirit in japan![]() Suntory Whisky may sound familiar as it was made internationally famous by Bill Murray in the 2003 film Lost In Translation, and it’s not unusual to find locals saying it’s “Suntory Time” as they down the popular spirit. It’s also a regular cocktail base mixed with everything from soda water to green tea. Made from unripe Japanese plums ( ume) steeped in sugar and the above Shōchū, it is a popular home-made concoction, but there are some big name brands out there. Umeshu is a popular liqueur in Japan because of its slightly sweet and sour taste and aroma, and relatively low alcohol content of around 15% – especially when compared to some of its competitors. ![]() Shōchū is served in all sorts of ways, from neat, to on the rocks, and with juice, and can even be found in cans in vending machines in Japan – and although it hasn’t quite reached the heady heights of international fame as its Sake cohort, it’s starting to gain traction in New York which is considered a major gateway to the Western market. There are a number of methods of production, but most involve distilling of barley, potatoes, buckwheat, or rice, and have around 25% alcohol by volume. This Japanese distilled drink started life on the south west island of Kyūshū, and the name derived from the Chinese word for burned liquor, shāojiǔ, which is quite apt given its fiery taste! It was first introduced to Japan by a Buddhist priest, Myōan Eisai, who travelled to China often in the 12th century in his pursuit and study of the Zen faith, and has since become a huge part of Japanese culture, tradition, and life – not to mention the medicinal benefits it’s proven to have.Īpproximately 91,000 metric tonnes of green tea is produced each year in Japan, and with only 2% of that exported, that’s a lot of cups of cha available for the local market. No list of Japanese beverages would be complete without mentioning this alcoholic drink made from fermented rice that originated in Japan as long ago as circa 710 AD, and has been recorded in ancient documents as being enjoyed at religious ceremonies, court festivals, and in drinking games!ĭespite having an official Sake Day on 1st October each year, the popularity and production of the drink has dropped steadily in Japan, but the international market has taken off with breweries popping up around China, North America, and Australia.Īlthough this tea originated in China, it is so commonplace in Japan that it is simply called tea, without the corresponding adjective. In a country of over 125 million people it’s not surprising that there are thousands of drinks consumed, many with historical, traditional, and regional roots, but for the purposes of this article we’ll stick to five of the best – in our humble opinion! 1. It is the furthest island in the whole japanese archipelago as it is situated at 2000 km south east of Tokyo, and at only 100km from Taïwan! It belongs to the Kingdom of Ruykyu that regroups the islands that make a junction between Japan and the Chinese continent.When we think of drinks from Japan, teas of all sorts and the ubiquitous sake immediately come to mind, but there are plenty of other beverages that please the local palette. The island from where Awamori originated is called The Island of Yonaguni. The fermentation process is very efficient, and is also where the name Awamori comes from which means « big bubbles » in japanese, which can be seen during this phase of production. The production takes place in two phases: a fermentation of long grain rice that enables a 18 to 20% alcohol rate to be reached, then a basic distilling that takes place in a traditional still. It is also via this route that the first stills arrived in the Far East. ![]() It is grown in Southeast Asia, where it comes from. This Okinawa alcohol is made in from distilled thaï rice called indica, a long grain rice. It originated from Southeast Asia, to be more precise in the Kingdom of Siam (currently called Thaïland). ![]() Awamori is the oldest distilled drink in Japan with a history that is over than 600 years old.
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