How Japanese Sake Is Made– Explore traditional brewing methods, ingredients, fermentation, and sake craftsmanship. –
Japanese sake brewing combines rice polishing, koji mold, fermentation, and centuries of craftsmanship. Learn about the techniques and terminology behind sake production.
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Brewing
Moromi (醪) : The Main Fermentation Mash
Sake truly takes shape in one bubbling tank. That tank holds the moromi. So what is moromi in sake brewing? Moromi, written 醪 in Japanese, is the main fermentation mash of sake. It is the thick mixture of steamed rice, koji, water, and ... -
Brewing
Moto (酒母): The Yeast Starter of Sake
Great sake begins before the main fermentation ever starts. Hidden inside the brewery is a small but powerful starter called moto, also known as shubo, the "mother of sake." So what is moto in sake brewing? In essence, moto is a concentr... -
Brewing
Fermentation (発酵)
Every bottle of sake hides a quiet miracle inside. That miracle is fermentation. So what is fermentation in sake brewing? Fermentation is the process where yeast turns sugar into alcohol. It also gives off carbon dioxide and rich aroma. ... -
Brewing
Yeast (酵母)
Sake owes its very existence to a tiny living thing. That thing is yeast, a microbe you cannot see. So what is yeast in sake brewing? Yeast is the microorganism that turns sugar into alcohol. During fermentation, it also releases carbon ... -
Brewing
Rice Polishing (精米歩合)
Open any bottle of premium sake, and you will see a number on the label. It often reads something like 60 percent or 50 percent. That figure points to rice polishing, one of sake's defining steps. So what is rice polishing in sake brewin... -
Brewing
Koji (麹)
Sake begins with a quiet transformation inside a grain of rice. That transformation has a name: koji. So what is koji in sake brewing? Koji is steamed rice grown with a special mold, Aspergillus oryzae. The mold spreads through each grai...
