What is sake?

Sake is a Japanese alcoholic beverage that is made from fermented rice. Often referred to as “Japanese rice wine,” sake (pronounced “sah-keh”) is actually closer to beer than to wine in its brewing process, however, it is light in color with a hint of sweetness.

Four ingredients are required to make sake: rice, koji, yeast, and water. The rice grains are polished to remove the bran, then mixed with koji mold, yeast, and water in a fermentation process that converts the starches into sugar, which then ferments into alcohol.

What is sake?

Sake is a Japanese alcoholic beverage that is made from fermented rice. Often referred to as “Japanese rice wine,” sake (pronounced “sah-keh”) is actually closer to beer than to wine in its brewing process, however, it is light in color with a hint of sweetness.

Four ingredients are required to make sake: rice, koji, yeast, and water. The rice grains are polished to remove the bran, then mixed with koji mold, yeast, and water in a fermentation process that converts the starches into sugar, which then ferments into alcohol.

FAQ

Sake is traditionally poured into square wooden boxes or small sake cups, but sake can also be enjoyed from a wine glass.
This varies depending on the sake and your taste preference. Hakutsuru Organic Sake should be served chilled or slightly warm.
None of the above! Sake is in a class of its own. It is made from fermented rice, so in that way, it’s more similar to beer, but the taste experience is more like that of wine. Try Hakutsuru Organic Sake and find out!
Sake is slightly stronger than most wines with Hakutsuru Organic Sake containing 14.5% alcohol by volume (ABV).
Definitely sipped! Preferably from a traditional square wooden box called a “masu,” or from a small sake cup or a wine glass.
Sake is made with rice, koji, yeast, and water which are naturally vegan-friendly and gluten-free.
Japanese food, of course! As well as many other foods from different cuisines. Please see our Products page for Suggested Pairings.

FAQ

Sake is traditionally poured into square wooden boxes or small sake cups, but
sake can also be enjoyed from a wine glass.
This varies depending on the sake and your taste preference. Hakutsuru Organic Sake should be served chilled or slightly warm.
None of the above! Sake is in a class of its own. It is made from fermented rice, so in that way, it’s more similar to beer, but the taste experience is more like that of wine. Try Hakutsuru Organic Sake and find out!
Sake is slightly stronger than most wines with Hakutsuru Organic Sake containing 14.5% alcohol by volume (ABV).
Definitely sipped! Preferably from a traditional square wooden box called a “masu,” or from a small sake cup or a wine glass.
Sake is made with rice, koji, yeast, and water which are naturally vegan-friendly and gluten-free.
Japanese food, of course! As well as many other foods from different cuisines. Please see our Products page for Suggested Pairings.