Shochu, another ‘sake’

Sake isn’t the only one drink ala Japan. There’s Shochu, a kind of rink which have richer taste than sake. Shochu still be the most popular drink category in Japan. In last 2003, shochu can ‘beat’ sake and became the top as the most favoriute drink. Shochu’s taste was have many variations, like fruits, beans, sugar cane, and sweet potato. And there’s high-quality-wine-tasted shochu. Alcohol degree in shochu maximum 45%, minimum 0%.

According to history, shochu came from China. Firstly come to Japan by Ryukyu island (now Okinawa prefecture). From Okinawa, spread to Amami Ooshima island and then to Kagoshima. From this, the technique in making shochu spread to all Japan.

Now, shochu have its own name according to the area where it was produced.

1. Awamori, came from Okinawa. Main material is rice

1. Grain shochu, came from north west of Kyushu, already produced since 16^th centuries. Main material is beans
2. Imo shochu, came from Kagoshima prefecture, already produced since 17^th centuries. Main material is sweet potato
3. Mugi shochu, came from Nagasaki since 19^th centuries. Main material is barley
   

1. Imo shochu from Izu island, made from sweet potato
2. Kokutou shochu from Amami Ooshima, made from sugar cane.

Beside those 6 kinds of shochu, there are Soba shochu, kasutori shochu, and another shochu mdae from corn, sesame, orange, or carrot.

Kasutori shochu