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Sake brewers seek foothold in U.S. market filled with liquors

Japanese sake exports to the USA have grown continually and now an increasing number of sake breweries are popping up in the United States but face the daunting challenge of hooking American drinkers on the flavorful rice wine. Japan’s Asahi Shuzo Co., which is famous for its Dassai line, built a large brewery in a… Continue reading Sake brewers seek foothold in U.S. market filled with liquors

The drinking culture hidden inside Japan’s liquor stores

On a chilly day in late December, as most people were busy with New Year’s preparations, I stepped into a seemingly ordinary shop in Kitakyushu, the northernmost city on Japan’s island of Kyushu. Sake no Awaya had the usual appearance of a well-stocked liquor store specialising in sake: shelves were tightly packed with hundreds of meticulously… Continue reading The drinking culture hidden inside Japan’s liquor stores

How younger sake brewers are helping Japanese sake exports

female-sake-brewers-in-japan

Exports of Japanese sake have grown in step with the global Japanese cuisine boom, setting a record high for the 13th consecutive year in 2022.   The continuing boom, with shipments surging 18.2 percent last year to 47.4 billion yen (about $340 million), is also fuelled by younger sake brewers targeting a more upscale market… Continue reading How younger sake brewers are helping Japanese sake exports

Decreasing domestic demand for Japanese Sake

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Japan has a rich history of sake production, and the country has been known for its high-quality sake for centuries. However, in recent years, the domestic demand for sake has been on a steady decline. According to a report by the National Tax Agency of Japan, the domestic sake market shrank for the 12th consecutive… Continue reading Decreasing domestic demand for Japanese Sake

Japanese Umeshu

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Japanese fruit sake, also known as “umeshu,” is a unique and delicious alcoholic beverage that has been enjoyed by Japanese people for centuries. It is a type of liqueur that is made by steeping Japanese plums, also known as “ume,” in sugar and shochu or sake. The result is a sweet and tangy drink that… Continue reading Japanese Umeshu

Sake brewers toast big rise in global sales

Sake is a traditional Japanese alcoholic drink that has been gaining new fans all over the world. However, in its home market, Japan, the drink is losing its appeal among consumers. According to Genki Ito, the founder of Tippsysake, a US website that imports and sells sake, there are a number of factors contributing to… Continue reading Sake brewers toast big rise in global sales

Sake cocktails

Sake cocktails have come a long way from their humble beginnings as a simple mix of sake and other ingredients. In recent years, the popularity of sake cocktails has exploded, with mixologists around the world using sake to create a wide variety of unique and delicious drinks.   The history of sake cocktails can be… Continue reading Sake cocktails

Sake brewers building brand cachet by cultivating bespoke rice crops

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Japanese brewers are gaining visibility by cultivating their own rice crops, using local grains to promote the unique characteristics of their regional sakes amid a surge in popularity of rice wine overseas. The change is unusual as sake breweries normally procure raw rice from farms around the country. In early July, workers at Shibata Brewery… Continue reading Sake brewers building brand cachet by cultivating bespoke rice crops