Taking a Second Look at Sake
The last time I had sake was probably a lot like the last time you had sake, hot out of little clay cups with a big plate a sashimi. It turns out that there is a lot more this Japanese drink than that steaming cup of something that we’ve become used to.
Like bad beer is only palatable when ice-cold, bad sake is best masked by serving it steaming. This doesn’t mean that all sake served hot is bad. Apparently sake can be good warm or cold but the very best sakes are served cold and in a glass.
Sake has been enjoying increasing sales in the US recently. Over the last 5 years sales have jumped 14% per year, impressive by anyone’s standards. There are a couple of reasons. First has been an increase in the popularity of Asian cuisine. Second sake’s popularity has been declining in Japan so sake sellers have been aggressively working to educate the American drinker about the rice based booze.
If you’re ready take a second look at sake you’re in luck. Not only are restaurants carrying a wider variety of sake but groceries and liquor store are carrying more labels, too. And some restaurants even have sake sommeliers! So get out there and start experimenting.
cold sake hot sake sakeFiled under: Administrative on January 4th, 2009 |
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