Explaining the history of shochu and how to divide it

There are probably many people who would like to try sake. There are probably many people who want to know about the characteristics and history of Japanese sake. In this article, we will introduce the history of sake and how to drink it.

What is shochu?

Shochu is a traditional Japanese distilled alcoholic beverage. It is mainly made from raw materials such as rice, potatoes, and wheat, and the alcohol content is usually around 25% to 40%. There are a wide variety of them, each with different tastes and flavours. The taste also changes depending on how you cut it.

History of shochu

The history of shochu in Japan is not exactly known, and there are several theories.

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•Around the 14th century, the armed group Wako invaded the East China Sea, and shochu was brought to Japan through maritime trade.

•Around the 15th century, as Japan traded with China and Korea, liquor from each country was also imported on trade ships, and Korean shochu entered Japan via Iki and Tsushima.

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The most likely theory is that it spread from Thailand to the whole country via Ryukyu and Satsuma.

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There is a description of a liquor that was brought to the Ryukyus from Siam called Nanbanshu, and around the 15th century, a distilled liquor made from molasses and glutinous rice called “Laorong” was imported from Siam (present-day Thailand).

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After that, distilled liquor began to be drunk as a court drink in the Ryukyu Dynasty, and when it was introduced from Okinawa to Satsuma (Kagoshima), awamori was made in Okinawa, and it is said that the method of making shochu spread throughout Japan.

How to split shochu

Shochu can be drunk in various ways. The taste and flavor will vary depending on how you drink it, so find a way to drink it that suits you.

rock

Enjoying shochu on the rocks means pouring shochu into a glass filled with ice and drinking it as is. As the ice melts, the taste of the shochu changes, allowing you to enjoy a smoother, milder flavor.

Soda

Shochu soda is a refreshing cocktail made by mixing shochu and carbonated water. Usually, shochu and carbonated water are mixed at a ratio of 1:2 or 1:3 and drunk with ice. This combination is light, easy to drink, and enjoys a refreshing taste.

summary

How was that. Shochu has a very rich history and is loved by Japanese people. You can enjoy shochu in a variety of ways and flavors, so please give it a try.

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