WHAT'S SHOCHU?

Shochu is a popular Japanese distilled spirit made of many different ingredients such as barley, sweet potatoes, rice, buckwheat, brown sugar, and among others. This unique distilled spirit production first began in the southern region of Japan around the 15th century and gradually spread all over Japan. In recent years the popularity of Shochu has been revived among Japanese, notably the young generation.

•Honkaku Shochu & Kohrui Shochu

•Elements that define taste of Shochu

•How to enjoy Shochu

Honkaku Shochu & Kohrui Shochu

There are two kinds of Shochu: "Kohrui Shochu", often called "Japanese vodka", is made by continuous distillation of polysaccharidic materials, and "Otsurui Shochu", also better known as "Honkaku (authentic) Shochu", made by single distillation. The former (Kohrui Shochu and grain whiskey) needs continuous distillation whereas the latter (Otsurui Shochu and malt whiskey) requires pot still.

Honkaku Shochu has three major characteristics:

1. The flavor from raw materials remains due to single distillation.
2. Made by multiple fermentation in parallel using rice malt.
3. Carries a gentle taste and can be drunk straight without aging.

Elements that define taste of Shochu

"Honkaku Shochu" comes in a variety of tastes and flavors (like sake and wines) that originate from the raw ingredients. However, if you understand the following four key elements:

1. Raw ingredients
2. "Koji kin"
3. Distillation methods
4. Aging methods

1. More than 60 kinds of raw ingredients
More than sixty kinds of raw ingredients are used in the Shochu production. Each adds a distinctive taste to the resultant Shochu. The major ones are wheat, rice, sweet potatoes and dates.

• Wheat: usually Nijo wheat is used to produce a light and easy to drink Shochu.
• Rice: brings out rich taste, soft impact as well as unique sweetness and fragrance. Kuma Shochu and Ryukyu Awamori are famous for using rice in the first production process.
• Sweet Potatoes: provide with distinctive sweetness, sweet aroma, and rich flavor.
• Dates: very sweet fruits grown in the Middle East.

Sweet potato field/Rice paddy

2. Koji Kin (Aspergillus): the key ingredient of Shochu
The unique feature of Japanese Shochu and Sake is the use "Koji" (malted rice) for brewing. Other brewed or distilled alcohol made all over the world uses only yeast. Japanese Shochu, on the other hand, uses "Koji" in addition to yeast.

• Black malt: traditional malt with a long history. It makes Shochu full-bodied and brings out a distinctive, rich taste.
• White malt: standard malt that is widely used. It brings out a light, gentle, crisp taste.
• Yellow malt: another traditional malt used for Sake production. Though it has long been avoided in Shochu production because its use necessitates a complicated heat management, it has been revived lately.

3. Single distillation
Shochu is distilled in two methods: single-distilling and multiple-distilling. Honkaku Shochu is made by single distillation that specifically excludes the extracts at the beginning and the ending of distillation process. There are two kinds of distillation methods. There are two kinds of distillation methods. In addition, pot-still (distillation machines) varies in its materials (ex. wood, stainless, tins), its sizes and forms, depending on distilleries.

• Normal pressure distillation
  It is a method in which the pressure inside of distillation machine is not controlled. The resultant taste of the Shochu produced reflects the raw materials due to the high boiling point of alcohol.
• Reduced pressure distillation
  In this method a low pressure (almost vacuum) is applied inside the distillation machine. It brings out a gentle, light taste and has a soft palatal impact because of its low boiling temperature.

4. Three Ways of Aging Shochu
There are mainly three ways of aging Shochu; aging in barrels, ceramic pots, and tanks.

• Aging in barrel: oak barrels or imported barrels that once contained sherry are used. The barrels add a scent and beautiful amber color.
• Aging in ceramic pot: this is a long aging process that produces a Shochu with no color and a milder taste through the effects of far-infrared radiation and the respiration by the ceramic pots.
• Aging in tank: aging in stainless or enameled iron tanks. Since the container has minimal effects on the Shochu, the distinctive taste from raw materials remains in resultant Shochu.

Barrels

Ceramic Pots

Tanks

How to Enjoy Shochu

The most distinctive feature of Shochu is that they tend to accompany meals. Unlike other distilled spirits of the world, you can select Shochu to go with any kind of a meal. Unlike whisky or brandy, they don't have to be served only before or after a meal. You can enjoy several different kinds of Shochu during any part of the meal

Shochu not just matches Japanese and Chinese food, but also complements European and other cuisines. In fact, Shochu is even served at French and Italian restaurants in Japan. Shochu enhances the taste of ingredients in food and also softens the strong smell of meat and seafood.

Shochu can be served at different temperatures and in different ways. It can be served with hot water, on the rocks, straight, or poured into crushed ice. Shochu can also be mixed with different amounts of water to create "water cocktail."

You can also enjoy a number of great Shochu-based cocktails. Since Shochu has a variety of flavors and tastes, it mixes well with fruit juices and liqueurs.

There are no special containers designed to serve Shochu. You can use any container, cup or glass of your choice regardless of their materials and shapes. For example, Japanese tea ceremony cups with wide opening are perfect for serving hot Shochu as they have a wide opening.

The source and images were provided by Oval One Co., Ltd.

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