Now it's time to catch up with my blog posts. I have spent a lot of time writing and recording the first few episodes of my podcast. If you have not listened to it, it's available on the website as well as on all podcasting platforms. Just search for Sugidama Podcast :-). This post is a slightly abridged version of the first episode about the common sake myths. Sake is still a mysterious drink for many people and as all mysterious objects, it's surrounded by those myths and legends. Some myths are true but a lot of them are plainly false. Read on and see for yourself. And if you want more details, please listen to the podcast. Kampai!

SSI taste profiles is a great way to assess and remember the sake you try. The Sake Service Institute (SSI) have divided all the sake into four categories, kun-shu, sou-shu, jun-shu and juku-shu based on two criteria: aroma and flavour. Read a brief overview of all the four profiles including examples of sake for each.

Rice is the essence of sake. It's the source of alcohol and gives it its flavour, aroma, texture and the character. It’s like grape to wine but slightly different.

So here you are, staring at a strange bottle with weird writings on the label. It has some English words but they are also incomprehensible. What is sake? Is sake…