Did you know that 1 October is World Sake Day (Nihonshu no Hi)? First celebrated in 1978, after a declaration by the Japan Sake Brewers Association, there are a number of reasons why the date of 1 October was chosen.
First, this date marks the start of a new sake-brewing season that lasts all the way till April the following year. October also marks the start of autumn, a time when spring’s young brews mellow and start to become more complex. Coincidentally, the Japanese character for sake, also contains referring to the chicken, which happens to be the 10th animal sign in the zodiac.
Autumn also happens to be the best season to sample a variety of sake known as Hiyaoroshi. Hiyaoroshi is sake that has undergone heat pasteurisation once in spring so that it will last and mature through the summer months. Unlike most other seishu (clear, refined sake), however, hiyaoroshi will not undergo a second pasteurisation process.
Still not quite sure how best to appreciate sake? Here’s some sagely advice from Mr John Gauntner, the world’s leading non-Japanese sake specialist and author, “There is no one authentic way to enjoy sake. Rather, it all comes down to to individual tastes and preferences. When tasting sake, make sure you do it slow. Don’t down it like a shot, and be sure not to overheat it, too.Letting it slow wash over your tongue is the best way to enjoy sake’s many different aromas and flavors.”
There’s no better time than 1 October, World Sake Day, to start your sake-tasting journey. OISHII is pround to support the fast-growing group of sake enthusiasts in Singapore and around the region, and is proud to present this event for the third year running. Don’t miss out on theseveral exciting sake-relted this month from 1 October. Kanpai!