A
Step Beyond Sake
Once
considered a working class drink, shochu is now trendy with
Japanese youth. In 2003, shochu sales spiked sharply in Japan
surpassing sake for the first time. Shochu
bars sprouted up with premium brands using artisan ingredients
and carefully guarded production methods. Shochu is similar
to sake in alcohol content at 25% making it weaker than whiskey
or vodka but stronger than wine and beer. Multiple-distilled
shochu, often used in mixed drinks, contains up to 35% alcohol
by volume. It also doesn't hurt that due to the many varieties
available, shochu pairs extremely well with many dishes. Although
widely available throughout Japan, the main problem is finding
it in a liquor store here in the U.S.. You may have a chance
of sourcing it in major cities with Japanese districts but it's
far easier to purchase online at sites like beerliquors.com.
How
Shochu is Made
Shochu is made from a diverse array of fermented ingredients
such as barley, rice, brown sugar, sweet potatos, and even soba.
It is then distilled in a patent still and then water is added.
Even though a basic ingredient, the water's source has a big
impact on overall taste and palatability of the shochu. Shochu
has a characteristic "nutty" or "earthy"
flavor rather than the fruitiness of sake.
How
To Drink Shochu
Methods
vary depending on personal taste:
•
neat, i.e., on its own with nothing added
•
on the
rocks, i.e., mixed with ice mixed with a low-alcohol beer-flavored
beverage known as hoppy
•
diluted
with hot water
•
mixed with
oolong tea or fruit juice
The
most popular way to serve it is pouring hot water into a glass
and then gently adding the shochu. The liquids mix naturally
and stirring is unnecessary. Typically the amount of shochu
exceeds the amount of hot water, creating a pleasant aroma and
yielding only a mild buzz. Sometimes the shochu and water is
mixed, left to stand for a day, and then gently heated.
Health
Benefits
And just in case you needed another excuse to try shochu, many
see it as a healthier alternative to other liquors since it
has fewer calories and is thought to prevent thrombosis, heart
attacks, and diabetes. Shigechiyo Izumi, a Japanese citizen
who lived for 120 years holding a title in the Guinness Book
of World Records famously drank shochu daily. So what are you
waiting for?
By
Steve Mirsky