From: Kyoto, Japan
Rice: Koshihikari
Grade: Futsu-shu
Seimaibuai (rice polishing ratio): 70%
Taste: The Night Swim sake offers an intriguing ballet of flavors. As you take your first sip, refreshing notes of banana sway gently before giving way to the baked pear's sweetness. A touch of caramelized pineapple adds depth, with subtle hints of orange and mint, imparting an irresistible finish to this symphony of flavors.
Pairing: To enhance your sake experience, pair it with grilled favorites such as pork and chicken kabobs (see the recipe below). The caramelized flavors of the meat harmonize with the fruity notes of the sake, while the minty aftertaste cleanses the palate. For a vegetarian option, try sweet and sour slaw or grilled peaches, which accentuate the inherent sweetness of the Night Swim sake.
Grilled Pork Skewers With Peanut-Basil Sauce
By Mark Bittman
About. Sake, the national beverage of Japan, is a drink steeped in tradition, craft, and cultural significance. To help bridge the divide between East and West, we invite you to dive into the 180 ML Night Swim by Tōzai, a brand celebrated for its accessible approach to this complex drink.
The Sake Masters: KIZAKURA BREWERY
In the heart of Kyoto, the historical epicenter of sake production, resides the KIZAKURA BREWERY, the creators behind the Tōzai brand. Tōzai brings a unique blend of authenticity and innovation, aiming to unravel the intricacies of sake for both seasoned connoisseurs and novices.
Every bottle of Tōzai sake tells a story through its hand-painted koi fish labels, traditional Japanese kanji, and origami paper patterns as a testament to the enduring artistry of sake brewing.
Terroir & Location: The Heart of Sake Brewing
Kyoto, revered as the birthplace of sake, hosts more than 30 breweries within its boundaries. The city, which served as the capital of Japan from 794 to 1868, is still considered the "heart" of the nation. As Japan's third-largest city, Kyoto offers a multitude of cultural landmarks and historical sites. It provides visitors with not just a taste of the history of Japanese culture but some of the best sake brewed in the country.
Technical Notes: The Art of Sake Crafting
The 180 ML Night Swim is brewed using Koshihikari rice, a variety esteemed for its sake production quality. It falls under the ‘Futsu-shu' grade, which represents regular, no-frills sake, much loved for its everyday drinkability.
A noteworthy technical detail about this sake is its Seimaibuai, or rice-polishing ratio, of 70%. In sake brewing, the term "polishing rice" is used instead of "scraping rice," the rice-polishing ratio indicates how much of the rice surface is removed. A 70% ratio signifies that 30% of the brown rice surface has been polished away, leaving the starchy core that contributes to the drink's body and flavor.
