Shōchū

Shōchū is a Japanese distilled beverage less than 45% alcohol by volume. It is typically made from rice (kome), barley (mugi), sweet potatoes (imo), buckwheat (soba), or sugar cane (kokutō), though it can be produced from a wider variety of ingredients including chestnut, sesame, carrot, and perilla leaf. Shōchū should not be confused with sake, which is a brewed beverage.

Production and Varieties:

The production of shōchū involves fermenting the base ingredient with a kōji mold (usually Aspergillus oryzae or Aspergillus luchuensis). This kōji converts starches into sugars, which are then fermented by yeast into alcohol. After fermentation, the resulting mash is distilled.

There are two main distillation methods that significantly influence the final product:

• Single Distilled Shōchū (Honkaku Shōchū): This type is distilled only once, preserving more of the flavor and aroma of the base ingredient. It often uses a traditional pot still. Honkaku shōchū is considered higher quality and often carries a geographical indication (GI) designation.

• Multiple Distilled Shōchū (Kōrui Shōchū): This type is distilled multiple times, typically using a continuous still. This process results in a purer, neutral spirit with less pronounced flavor. Kōrui shōchū is often used as a base for cocktails or homemade fruit liqueurs.

Consumption:

Shōchū can be enjoyed in various ways:

• Neat: Served at room temperature or chilled.
• On the Rocks: Poured over ice.
• With Water (Mizuwari): Mixed with cold or hot water. The ratio of shōchū to water varies depending on preference.
• With Soda (Soda Wari): Mixed with soda water.
• In Cocktails: Used as a base spirit in cocktails.
• With Oolong Tea (Oolong Hai): Mixed with oolong tea.

Regional Variations:

Different regions of Japan are known for producing shōchū from specific ingredients. For example:

• Kyushu: Known for sweet potato (imo) shōchū and barley (mugi) shōchū.
• Amami Islands: Famous for sugar cane (kokutō) shōchū.
• Okinawa: Known for Awamori, a type of shōchū made from rice.

Legal Definition:

In Japan, shōchū is legally defined and regulated, differentiating it from other distilled spirits like whisky and vodka. The legal definition includes requirements for the ingredients, distillation process, and alcohol content.