Sake Class

Last night I attended a sake class and sake tasting.  It was wonderful!  I learned a lot about sake and now need to start trying some.  Our teacher for the evening was Kiyo and he was assisted by Taki.  Some of you might know Taki from Cook's Warehouse classes.

Last night I tasted very little since I was driving home and I was working today.  I had a couple sips of each kind and then used the cup to dump the rest. This is what we tasted:

• Way of Sake
• White Sun
• Drake
• Mighty Peak
• Fragrant Water
• Six Circles
• Flower Petals
• True Beauty - not sake but shochu which is distilled and this had cherry essence also

I learned that sake means alcohol, so like in the south when you ask for a coke and someone asks what kind you want, if you ask for sake that could mean any kind of alcohol.

I also learned that sake is fermented, not distilled and that water and rice are very important.  Where the sake is produced can determine if it should be served hot or cold.  Generally if it is produced in the north where it is cold it should be served chilled.

Sake also pairs with food much like wine.  When I first tasted the Six Circles I didn't like it at all.  After I tasted some sushi with it, it smoothed and evened out.  Sake doesn't just pair well with Asian foods though.  One of samples matched perfectly with roasted red peppers and basil, another with cheese. 

Kiyo was very knowledgeable and fun and does private classes if anyone is interested in hosting a sake class with a bunch of friends.  Let me know and I'll get you contact info for him.

Today I worked and this is it for a while.  Tomorrow I leave for Rhode Island and the WCR conference.  The hotel looks great, is on the water and I have some restaurant referrals.  I will have a computer with me and should be able to blog, but in case that doesn't work out due to technical difficulties, I'll be back.  My tech support will be staying home to go to work and care for the animals.

I'm taking a mix of classes both business and food related so I should have new things to pass on.  I have to go think about dinner now, pork roast and macaroni and cheese from the freezer.  I planned leftovers so tech support/husband will be able to forage for food while I'm gone.  I also have to think about packing.