How To Serve And Drink Sake
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How To Serve And Drink Sake
Serve and Drink Sake. Want to try Sake but are too afraid. Don't fear, follow our simple guide to the correct way to enjoy this Japanese favourite.
Sake is a Japanese rice wine. In Japan there are some traditions surrounding the way it is served and drunk. They are not always followed outside of Japan, but they are worth knowing so that you can be polite.
Step 1: Warming sake
Sake is served in a small flask called a tokkuri. Place the full tokkuri in boiling water until it is about body temperature. Only very expensive sake is served chilled.
Step 2: Serving sake
Hold the tokkuri with both hands palms facing down. Fill each guest's cup in turn. Don't fill your own. It's the guests' duty to ensure that the host's cup is full.
The correct cup to use is a small handle less one called an ochoko.
In formal situations you should hold up the cup with one hand, and support the bottom of it with the other as the sake is being served to you
Step 3: Drinking sake
Sake is very potent, the done thing is to sip it slowly. Its not a shot – don't down it in one!
Step 4: Done
Cheers, or as they say in Japan, Kampai!