Sake is quickly gaining in popularity as an alternative to wine with meals, as the main ingredient in cocktails and as a delicious beverage to savor by itself. Knowing a little bit about your preferences and about the qualities of sake can help you buy the right sake for you.
Instructions
1. Determine whether you want to drink sake by itself or in a mixed drink, and whether you want to pair it with food. Knowing this helps you buy the best type for your needs.
2. Decide if you want to drink your sake warm or chilled. Different types of sake are better at different temperatures. If you have a preference, you can use it to select your sake.
3. Know the basic types of sake, which include Junmai-shu, Honjozo-shu, Ginjo-shu, Daiginjo-shu and Namazake. Junmai-shu contains only rice and the fermenting mixture, and has a full, rich acidic flavor. Honjozo-shu contains some distilled alcohol, creating a slightly lighter flavor and a more fragrant sake. Ginjo-shu is a more delicate sake because its brewing methods focus on increasing the fragrant notes. Daiginjo-shu is an especially fragrant sake with a full body. Namazake refers to any sake that isn't pasteurized, creating a much fresher overall taste.
4. Choose the qualities you want in your sake. You can view flavor profiles of the different types of sake at eSake, a website dedicated to sake.
5. Visit your local liquor store, or go to a website that sells sake if your local laws allow you to have liquor shipped to you. Most liquor stores have at least a small stock of sake, and many websites specialize in it. The more upscale the liquor store, the more likely it is to have a good selection of sake.
6. Read labels or descriptions carefully before you buy. Many sake brands include serving suggestions on the label, letting you know if the sake is best served warm or chilled and presenting some of the major flavor notes of the sake.
7. Ask liquor store staff or send an email to website staff if you're unable to determine which sake you want to buy. They will likely have some information to help you make your selection.
Tags: liquor store, types sake, your sake, fragrant sake, likely have
