What is Sake? by Hiroshi Kawabata (4/ 2002)

Origins of Sake

Almost 1.2 billion years ago, yeast—the ancestors of sake—appeared on Earth.  Millions and millions of years later, about 200,000 years ago, Homo sapiens, the ancestor of human beings, appeared on Earth.  By that time, yeast had evolved and acquired the ability to ferment sugar into alcohol.  Originally, yeast bred naturally in fallen fruits, fermenting them.  We have no way of knowing whether our ancestors ate or drank those fruits, however, human beings soon learned how to cultivate and make sake.  At that time, they did not have the concept of how yeast makes sake, so they probably considered this phenomena as "God's work." 

It is said, "Great civilizations have always possessed wonderful wines.  Only an advanced civilization can make people sophisticated and give them a refined sensibility." Every civilization has created its own wine and culture, expanding and mingling through cultural exchange and developing through time.  For example, the wine that originated in Mesopotamian civilization passed through Sumerians, Phoenicians, Greeks, and Romans, and eventually spread to almost all of Europe. It was encouraged by the similar natural environment of Europe, which is good for fruit cultivation.

Meanwhile, sake had come into existence in Japan, which has a climate of high temperatures and high humidity.  This environment allows the rich cultivation of rice which is essential in the production of sake.  So, sake has developed against the backdrop of Japan's beautiful seasons and with the love and care of the Japanese people.

Cocktails!  A proposal for a new way of drinking sake

Sake experts often say, "Drinking sake cold is the best way."  My personal opinion is that warm sake is as tasty as cold sake.  But now, sake cocktails are getting popular around town.  Sake is clear and colorless, so serves as a great cocktail base. Let's try this stylish way of drinking sake!  You will find a whole new world of sake. Here are some sake cocktail recipes!!

Sake Margarita
Ingredients:

• 1 oz. sake
• 3 oz. margarita mix
• cup crushed ice

1. Place sake, margarita mix, and crushed ice in a blender.
2. Blend on high for about 30 seconds or until mixture is a slushy, frothy consistency.

Sake and Tonic
Ingredients:

• 2 oz. sake
• Tonic water
• Slice of fresh lime
• Ice

1. Pour sake over ice in a tall glass and fill with tonic water.
2. Squeeze in a slice of fresh lime.

Sake Screwdriver
Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 oz. sake
• Orange juice
•   Ice

1. Pour sake over ice in a tall glass.
2. Fill with orange juice.