Mohamed Awed’s Post

What Is Sake? Sake is a Japanese alcoholic beverage made from fermented rice. It consists of four ingredients: rice, water, yeast, and a mold called koji. You can't make sake with just any type of rice, though; a special rice called sakamai is required. 1️⃣ Junmai: Pure rice sake with no added alcohol, known for its bold and robust flavors. 2️⃣ Ginjo and Junmai Ginjo: Feature a fruity, floral profile with rice polished to 60% or less, ideal for sipping. 3️⃣ Daiginjo and Junmai Daiginjo: Highly refined, with over 50% of the rice polished away, offering a light, aromatic experience suited for special occasions. 4️⃣ Honjozo: Contains a small amount of brewer’s alcohol, providing a smooth, lighter finish. So, whether you’re drawn to sake for its craftsmanship or its versatility, there’s a type out there for everyone. Comment below the word ‘Sake’ and let me know if you’d like more sake videos. Cheers 🍶 #sonalholland #masterofwine #sake #sakelovers #JapaneseSake #SakeTasting #Junmai #Ginjo #Daiginjo #Honjozo #SakePairing #RiceWine 

So, if you decide to experiment with sake cocktails, which sake should you use?⠀⠀⠀ 🍶🍹 ⠀⠀⠀ Assuming umami is important, go for one of the more savoury legal classifications, like a junmai (that is not also a ginjō or daiginjō), a honjōzō, a futsūshu, or possibly a ginjō. ⠀⠀⠀ 🍶🍹 ⠀⠀⠀ If you remember how the legal classifications work, they're heavily based on the amount of the rice grain used to make the sake. The outside of the grain contains more protein, which is broken down by kōji to produce amino acids - perceived by our taste buds as umami. So the higher the polishing number, the more of the rice grain was used, and the more umami you can expect!⠀⠀⠀ 🍶🍹⠀⠀ (Your regular reminder that the legal classifications and even polishing numbers on labels are a guide at best,)⠀⠀⠀ 🍶🍹⠀ The cocktail I had, at @bonvivantberlin and mixed by @bitterboyrene, was the powerful, amazingly flavourful Tamagawa yamahai muroka nama genshu (unpasteurised, unfined, undiluted, made with an old yeast starter), combined with a sesame shochu, infusion of morel mushrooms and a few other select ingredients, and it was incredible. I've never had a sake cocktail that really showed off the sake before, and it's hard to think of any way to make Tamagawa better, but it was spectacular.⠀⠀ 🍶🍹⠀⠀⠀ #discoversake #sake #sakecocktails

Let's start off with the legal classification made with the most intensively polished rice - daiginjō. (I'm including junmai daiginjō as daiginjō for this post.)⠀⠀⠀ 🍶⠀⠀⠀ Daiginjō sake must be made from rice polished to at least 50%, and many are polished even further to leave less than half the rice grain. (Beyond around 35% it becomes as pure carbohydrate as you're going to get, particularly for rice varieties developed for sake brewing which have centres that are almost all-carbohydrate in the centre.) This removes most of the protein and fat that can create undesirable flavours, but also the savoury umami which comes from the breakdown of protein into amino acids. ⠀⠀⠀ 🍶⠀⠀⠀ Heavily polished rice has less nutrients, and the style of brewing required for ginjō and daiginjō sake is slow, careful and carried out at low temperature. (This brewing style is another legal requirement in addition to the minimum polishng ratio.) The low temperature stresses the yeast, causing it to release chemicals that we humans perceive as fruity or floral aromas.⠀⠀⠀ 🍶⠀⠀⠀ Daiginjō sake can be very delicate, almost more aroma than taste, and suitable as an aperitif or served with equally delicate dishes like white fish, particularly sashimi. ⠀⠀⠀ 🍶⠀⠀⠀ However, don't assume that all daiginjō will be ethereal - many still have some umami for a fuller flavour profile, and some can be surprisingly sweet and perfect partners for cheese or desserts.⠀⠀⠀ 🍶⠀⠀⠀ #discoversake #sake #daiginjo

What is #Masala #Tea Made Of? — — — — Masala Tea, also known as Masala #Chai (from the #Hindi word “Masala”, meaning “#spice”, and “Chai”, meaning “tea”), is a drink containing various spices. Each region has its own recipe. However, Masala Chai generally contains :  #Ginger,  #Cardamom,  #Lemongrass,  #Cloves,  #Cinnamon.  A fuller Masala Chai, like this Masala Tea, may also contain #blackpepper, fennel seeds and other herbs and spices, such as #nutmeg. https://lnkd.in/enw6NXPZ

🇹🇭🌾 Have you ever tried "Ta-ko" (ตะโก้)? 😋 Ta-ko is a traditional Thai dessert made from a combination of rice flour, coconut milk, sugar, and salt. It has a soft, pudding-like texture and a delicately sweet flavor that's perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth. 🍮 To make Ta-ko, rice flour is mixed with coconut milk, sugar, and salt, then steamed until it forms a smooth, thick pudding. The dessert is often served in small, bite-sized portions, making it a perfect snack or after-meal treat. Some variations include adding toppings like shredded coconut, sesame seeds, or even durian fruit for an extra flavor kick. 🥥 The origin of the name "Ta-ko" (ตะโก้) is not entirely clear, but it is believed to be derived from the word "ta-go" (ตะกอ), which refers to a type of coconut shell used as a mold for the dessert in the past. 🥄 To order Ta-ko in Thai, simply say "Ao dtà-gôh nèung tǔay ná khá" (เอาตะโก้หนึ่งถ้วยนะคะ), which means "I would like one cup of Ta-ko, please." 🙏 Have you had the chance to try this comforting Thai dessert? If not, be sure to give it a taste and let me know what you think! It's a lovely treat that showcases the simplicity and deliciousness of Thai ingredients. 😊 #ThaiDesserts #Tako #ThaiLanguage #ExpatLife

Another major difference between sake and wine, if the latter is what you're used to pairing, is umami.⠀⠀⠀ 🍶⠀⠀⠀ This recently recognised fifth taste is produced by certain amino acids, particularly glutamic acid. If you're not familiar with it, think of slow-roasted meats, grilled mushrooms, or rich meat stocks - pure savouriness. (It's also the Japanese word for "tasty" which makes it hard to translate!)⠀⠀⠀ 🍶⠀⠀⠀ This in particular is where I think sake has so much to offer non-Japanese dishes. A sake with good umami is amazing with everything from burgers or BBQ to roasted vegetables to stews.⠀⠀⠀ 🍶⠀⠀⠀ Umami is generated by kōji as it breaks down proteins in rice, and those proteins are found more towards the outside of the grain (at least in rice bred specifically for making sake). So the general rule is that sake made from rice that has been less intensively milled will have more protein and therefore more umami.⠀⠀⠀ 🍶⠀⠀⠀ Remember that the polishing ratio number you see on a label shows the percentage of the rice grain _remaining_ (e.g. if it says "60%" that means 40% removed and 60% remaining). And if a sake is made from table rice, the grain will not have the same separation of protein to the outside and carbohydrate to the inside, so even sake made from highly polished table rice will have a degree of umami.⠀⠀⠀ 🍶⠀⠀⠀ #discoversake #sake #nihonshu

🇹🇭🌾 Have you ever tried "Ta-ko" (ตะโก้)? 😋 Ta-ko is a traditional Thai dessert made from a combination of rice flour, coconut milk, sugar, and salt. It has a soft, pudding-like texture and a delicately sweet flavor that's perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth. 🍮 To make Ta-ko, rice flour is mixed with coconut milk, sugar, and salt, then steamed until it forms a smooth, thick pudding. The dessert is often served in small, bite-sized portions, making it a perfect snack or after-meal treat. Some variations include adding toppings like shredded coconut, sesame seeds, or even durian fruit for an extra flavor kick. 🥥 The origin of the name "Ta-ko" (ตะโก้) is not entirely clear, but it is believed to be derived from the word "ta-go" (ตะกอ), which refers to a type of coconut shell used as a mold for the dessert in the past. 🥄 To order Ta-ko in Thai, simply say "Ao dtà-gôh nèung tǔay ná khá" (เอาตะโก้หนึ่งถ้วยนะคะ), which means "I would like one cup of Ta-ko, please." 🙏 Have you had the chance to try this comforting Thai dessert? If not, be sure to give it a taste and let me know what you think! It's a lovely treat that showcases the simplicity and deliciousness of Thai ingredients. 😊 #ThaiDesserts #Tako #ThaiLanguage #ExpatLife

Samgyetang,a traditional Korean ginseng chicken soup, is a beloved dish known for its health-boosting properties. Often enjoyed during the hot summer months to replenish energy and stamina, this hearty soup combines a whole young chicken with ginseng, jujube (Korean dates), garlic, onion and flavorful meal. Follow this detailed recipe to prepare your own bowl of nourishing Samgyetang. https://lnkd.in/dquNcwtq

What is #MasalaTea Made Of? https://lnkd.in/ePs88Pyp — Masala Tea, also known as Masala #Chai (from the Hindi word “Masala”, meaning “#spice”, and “Chai”, meaning “tea”), is a drink containing various spices. Each region has its own recipe. However, Masala Chai generally contains :  #Ginger,  #Cardamom,  #Lemongrass,  #Cloves,  #Cinnamon. A fuller Masala Chai, like this Masala Tea, may also contain #blackpepper, fennel seeds and other herbs and #spices, such as #nutmeg. https://lnkd.in/ePs88Pyp

The Portuguese introduced cashew to Goa, which is now a major producer of the crop. It is an important ingredient in Goan cuisine and beverages. While the cashew seed is used in garnishing sweets, desserts, or sold as dry snacks, the fruit is mashed, and its juice fermented to produce a strong spirit called feni. Feni is also made from toddy palm, but cashew feni, though seasonal, is more popular. In contrast, coconut feni, which is indigenous, is available year-round and reflects how Indian traditions adapted to a fruit introduced by the Portuguese. Image: Joseph Bar, a small establishment in Fontainhas, Panjim, promotes local spirits like uraq and feni, featuring them in various cocktails. From the image gallery ‘Glimpses of Goa: Fusion of Indo-Portuguese Culture’ by Arnab Bhaumik, published at https://bit.ly/42lPREu #SahaHistories #Goa #Feni #FoodHeritage #Cashew #GoanFeni #IndoPortuguese