Honjozo

Honjozo is a category of sake that contains brewer’s alcohol and has a minimum rice polishing ratio of 70%. During World War II, distilled alcohol was added to sake to increase yield and lower production cost. Today, brewer’s alcohol is added to premium sake to enhance the aroma and the finish. Adding distilled alcohol can release otherwise trapped aroma compounds, making the sake more fragrant. It can also make sake taste lighter.

Because the polishing ratio requirement is 70%, honjozo is usually not as expensive as other, more highly polished types of sake. At Tippsy, you can find a lovely honjozo for less than $60.

When served chilled, honjozo can be an excellent partner for salads and other light dishes. When warmed, umami-filled soups and hot pots are fabulous choices. Dry and flavorful, Atago no Matsu “Tokubetsu Honjozo” is a reliable mealtime sake. Going to a friend’s home for dinner? Bring a bottle of Wakaebisu “Honjozo,” made by a female-owned brewery named for the god of good fortune. And discover the possibilities of honjozo with Ichinokura’s Mukansa series by comparing their sweet Amakuchi to their more classic Extra Dry.

Honjozo is a category of sake that contains brewer’s alcohol and has a minimum rice polishing ratio of 70%. During World War II, distilled alcohol was added to sake to increase yield and lower production cost. Today, brewer’s alcohol is added to premium sake to enhance the aroma and the finish. Adding distilled alcohol can release otherwise trapped aroma compounds, making the sake more fragrant. It can also make sake taste lighter.

Because the polishing ratio requirement is 70%, honjozo is usually not as expensive as other, more highly polished types of sake. At Tippsy, you can find a lovely honjozo for less than $60.

When served chilled, honjozo can be an excellent partner for salads and other light dishes. When warmed, umami-filled soups and hot pots are fabulous choices. Dry and flavorful, Atago no Matsu “Tokubetsu Honjozo” is a reliable mealtime sake. Going to a friend’s home for dinner? Bring a bottle of Wakaebisu “Honjozo,” made by a female-owned brewery named for the god of good fortune. And discover the possibilities of honjozo with Ichinokura’s Mukansa series by comparing their sweet Amakuchi to their more classic Extra Dry.