Most people know saké as a Japanese alcoholic beverage that only goes well with Japanese dishes such as sushi and yakitori (chicken skewers). But the truth is, Japanese saké pairs extremely well with many types of cuisines from around the world, including Italian, French and North American.
What is saké?
Japanese saké is made from quality rice, clean water, koji mold and yeast. They are combined and fermented in precise processes that have been refined over the centuries.
Umami is the most important element of Japanese saké. Amino acids are the basis of this umami, and saké contains much more amino acids than beer and wine. The specific rice used for crafting saké does not originally contain these acids, but produces them in great quantities through the complex and unique fermentation process used to brew saké. The volume of amino acids influences the strength of the saké flavour. This enhances the flavours of food with which it is paired, amplifying them to make meals even more delicious.
Saké can be served at a range of temperatures, which is unique from other alcoholic drinks. It is great chilled, at room temperature, warm or even hot. The same saké will evolve, taking on new flavours as it flows through the temperature changes.
Styles of saké
Premium Japanese saké can be described using four key words: clean to rich for flavour, and moderate to fragrant for aroma. While saké is extremely versatile and each saké will pair well with a variety of foods, selecting the saké that best suits each dish will further heighten the delicious synergy between food and drink.
Try saké in Calgary
From October 17 to November 3, these 10 local restaurants will have a specially selected offering of saké flights or pairing menu with premium sakés from all over Japan. Don’t miss your chance to try out a variety of sakés paired with different cuisines during this premium Japanese saké campaign happening in Calgary.
- Alloy (alloydining.com/)
- Annabelle’s Kitchen (downtown location) (annabelleskitchen.ca/annabelles-kitchen-downtown)
- Big Fish & Open Range (Marda Loop) (bigfishopenrange.ca/)
- Carino (eatcarino.com/)
- Embarcadero Wine & Oyster Bar (oysterbar.ca)
- FinePrint (fineprintyyc.com/)
- Lulu Bar (lulubar.ca/)
- Olea (oleayyc.com)
- Park by Sidewalk Citizen (parkbysidewalk.com/)
- Pigeonhole (pigeonholeyyc.ca/)
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