Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Top 3 Misconceptions About Japanese Sake

Introduction

Japanese sake is Japan's ambrosia, or the "drink of the gods." Since time immemorial, this drink has made its way through countless special occasions, events, merry makings, and social gatherings. And if you happen to visit Japan, you'll be asked to drink sake. This gesture is a way of showing the hospitable nature of the Japanese, much like inviting someone for dinner in the United States.

Though Japanese sake has long been in existence in Japan, it was only a couple of decades ago that the world started noticing. But as the world progresses, so does this drink's popularity. Today, many bars across the country (and in many parts of the globe) serve sake. It is mixed with other drinks to make great cocktails, or it can be drank similar to wine.

Top Misconceptions About Japanese Sake

Not many people would agree to drink sake. This is perhaps of the many misconceptions floating around about this Japanese traditional drink. Of course, most of these misconceptions are not true. So if you want to enjoy your first shot of sake, you might want to get your facts straight.

Here are the top misconceptions about Japanese sake.

Misconception #1: Japanese sake is rice wine.

Many people think that sake is wine or beer, but in actuality, it falls in neither category. Wine comes from fruits, and beer contains hops. There may no category that sake falls right into, but it's safe to assume that this drink is a "fermented beverage made from rice."

Misconception #2: Sake contains high amount of alcohol.

Contrary to what many people believe, sake has around 15% alcohol content. Its strong fruity smell does not literally translate to a high amount of alcohol.

Misconception #3: Sake should not be consumed with sushi.

Many people believe that sake does not go well with sushi because both of them are made from rice. But Japanese people think this is an utterly baseless belief. As a matter of fact, some would say that sake compliments sushi and other types of Japanese delicacy well.

People have other misconceptions about sake, but these three are the most common. Thus, it is worth highlighting them to make sure that other people will get all their facts straight.

Here's a final tip for first-time sake drinkers. If you're invited by a friend to drink sake for the first time, you might want to choose the sake variety that is similar or close to what you normally drink. This will give your palate some time to adapt to the taste of sake.

For more information on Japanese sake, Japanese onsen, and all things about Japan, head over to http://www.thesoulofjapan.blogspot.com.

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