BEGINNER’S GUIDE
What is sake?
A calm introduction to the drink that opens the door to Japanese culture.
01 — THE BASICS
“Sake is often called rice wine, but it’s made in its own way.”
Sake is made from rice, water, koji and yeast. These ingredients work together through fermentation to create a drink with its own character — sometimes light and fresh, sometimes rich and savoury.
02 — HOW IT’S MADE
How is sake made?
At its heart, sake begins with four things: rice, water, koji and yeast. Koji helps turn rice starch into sugar, which yeast can then ferment. It sounds complicated, but you don’t need to understand the science to enjoy what’s in your glass.
03 — TASTE
What does sake taste like?
There isn’t one answer. Sake can be fruity and light, quietly rich, crisp and dry, or softly sweet—depending on the bottle, its brewery, and its making. Think less about ‘the’ taste of sake, and more about what feels good to you.
04 — KEEP IT SIMPLE
Don’t worry about memorising the terminology.
You don’t need a technical vocabulary to enjoy your first glass. Start with what you notice—fresh, rich, soft, dry—and trust your own taste to lead the way.
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