The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-05-03
JAPAN,s NArIoN11 BErERAGE.
A Japanese's Essay on Sali and the
Process Of Making II.

In Japan sah was first prepared 2bout
800 years ago and presented TO the Deity,
for il was believed to be sacred. 1t is the
national beverage. The process Of gaki
manufacture is systematic, but differs
more or less i'm the different localities.
Wcll-cleaued rice is steamed untH IL gets
sOftened, and then 10 is cooled next IL
is prepared with the same quantity OF
water ana agitatcd until IL becomes pdsty;
this paste is called "moto" in the Japa-
nese language. the word meaning origin.
Koii ga kind Of yeast prepared from rice)
and about ten times the amount of water
are added together 10 cause fermentation
and are let stand for about twenty-five
days in the cellar. where only the brewers
are allowed, 70 prevent from spelling the
brewing, for If any other person IS per
mttcd 10 Doe I'm he might have taken any
kind OF things that have sour tastes and
odors When the fermentation IS over
the residue is separated from the liquor
hy means Of pressing and a filtering ma
chine. The liquor. however, stnl retains
some turbidity. which is 10 be suhsidad
in large vessels Thus the clear Nitrate
is the beverage or saki. From the residue
alcohol and vinegar can be prepared
The brewing commences from the winter
solstice and continues during n hundred
dave.
Tho taste Of the saki does not depend
merely upon the quality Of the rice, but
also on that Of the water. therefore. in
brewing. the rice and water have 10 be
carefully selected. The water which is
usually used for brewing seems 10 be hard
natured. according TO the table Of anaiy-
Sis OF course the sah may be brewad
either of hard or soft water, but when 81
a. o. e h.. B,
better quality and flavor than by the lat
ter
The principal places for brewing the
sald i'm Japan are NADIA. Itami and Nishi-
nomiva. I'm the province of Scttsu. The
sah which is brewed I'm those above
places IS Of the best quality. their amount
Of annual brewing being nearly 100000
kolUl Zone k0lu Is nearly equal 10 forty
gallons. that SIS. over half Of the total
amount Of brewing throughout the empire.
The saN contains on the average 10 per
cent of alcohol 2-5 per cent. of dextrn
ana ! per cent. Of glucose The rest IS
water. II is n yellow, transparent liquid
having naturally a sweet taste and good
flavor u resembles the white wine IN
color and flavor.
The saki can he preserved for many
years by heating r. mp 10 90 degrees Cen
tgrade without changing It's properties.
If the heating Doe insufficient there is a
fear Of ovcrfermentation and putrefac-
ton. The price Of saki ranges from 500
20 so n koku. according TO its quality.
The saH among japanese is consumed
I'm remarkable quantities, as much as beer
I'm Germany.
I'm Japan the sald is applied I'm every
case. as those Of the national holidays.
festivals New Year days. all the cere-
vrha
pleasures or entertainments need TO have
some saN
The New Years are considered 10 be
the happiest time of the year for the
japanese. and when il comes all the peo-
pie enjoy the happy days, with sah as
their ceremony
Ia April. the time for the cherry bios
SONS. every one In Japan never fails 90 /
20 out 10 see the flowers in the parks. |
with their gOurds filled with saki and !
drink that under the blossoms-evcn one |
who does not take IL generally; therefore |
the saki and cherry blossoms at his |
season seem 20 belong 20 each other. |
as well as beer TO cheese and crackers. !
Saki is warmed up 90 co or 20 degrees |
Cenugrade. when IL Is 90 be taken. except |
i'm ceremoniOus places; generally IL Is |
warmed I'm porcelain bottles introduced |
into the hot water, and when II comes 10 |
the desired temperature II Is brought out |
TO the table TO drink with small porcelain /
cups.
The cups generally have at the top |
the diameter of about two inches and /
they are one inch in height and. the bot |
ties are about the same height as beer /
bottles but FAR thinner. being as small |
MS ID inches in diameter at the bottom |
and about 2 inches in height They are /
plain white and cOlored.-Chic1go Record [