Chapter 1: What is Sake?

Question 1

How sake is different from spirits

Answer 1

Spirits are always distilled but sake is never distilled. Spirits have typical alcoholic strength of around 40% abv. Sake has alcoholic strength of 15-17% abv

Question 2

How sake is different from wine

Answer 2

Wine is made from grape juice and sake is made from polished rice.

Wine: Raw material contribute colour (black grape), intense aromas and flavours, tannins and high levels of acids. The raw material contain fermentable sugars and is a liquid.

Sake: Raw material has no colour, no tannin, very little flavour and very little acid. The raw material contains no fermentable sugars and is a solid.

Question 3

Compare beer and sake, how is the starch broken down into sugars?

Answer 3

Beer: Malted grains provide enzymes
Sake: Kōji mould enzymes

Question 4

Compare beer and sake, when is the starch broken down into sugar

Answer 4

Beer: Before fermentation
Sake: At the same time as fermentation

Question 5

Compare beer and sake, what are the main material(s)

Answer 5

Beer: Various grains
Sake: Rice only

Question 6

Compare beer and sake, are the grains polished?

Answer 6

Beer: No. The whole grain is used (though it is ground up)
Sake: Yes

Question 7

Compare beer and sake, apart from grains, are other raw materials added?

Answer 7

Beer: Almost always hops. Often other unmalted grains. Sometimes other flavourings.
Sake: Never