What is sake?
Sake (pronounced: sa kay) is a Japanese alcoholic drink with rice as its basic ingredient. Sake is sometimes also referred to as rice wine. Sake has unjustifiably been given the reputation of being a very strong alcoholic drink. The alcohol percentage is usually around 15-17%, which is close to wine's alcohol percentage. The official name for sake is Seishu ('clear alcohol') or Nihonshu, which means 'Japanese alcohol' or 'Japanese sake'.
For a long time sake was mainly seen as a drink which was served hot and in bowls in Japanese restaurants. However, sake has become increasingly popular as a special alternative to wine. The drink is then chilled and served in a wine glass. Sake's taste has many variations: from fruity and aromatic, to light and dry or rich and complex. Sake is delicious as an aperitif and can be perfectly combined with all sorts of different dishes. In short, sake is very versatile and it's no coincidence it's now a true trend.
