What is Japanese Sake? A Beginner’s Guide to Nihonshu
What is Sake? Sake is an alcoholic beverage made by fermenting polished rice. Unlike wine, which is made from fermented fruit, sake’s primary ingredient is rice, and it undergoes a brewing process. The term “sake” can be used in Japan to refer to any alcoholic beverage, but outside Japan, it is commonly used to refer to Nihonshu specifically. Sake typically has an alcohol content of 15% to 20%, which is comparable to wine and slightly higher than beer. The drink is enjoyed both cold and warm, with different varieties of sake suited for different temperatures.