Welcome again to Jennifer and Tate’s culinary journey down the International foods aisle. When we were last with our brave duo, they were traipsing through jolly old England and eating Spotted Dick. Luckily neither of our heroes perished and they have embarked on another journey.
This episode: Sake
Country of origin: Japan
Disclaimer: This was not actually purchased on the International foods aisle at the grocery store because HA! Tennessee doesn’t sell liquor (or wine, *GASP*, I KNOW!) at the grocery store. This was purchased in an oft frequented liquor store.
Tate “surprised” me one evening returning from our weekly liquor store run with this bottle of Sake. I had never tried, nor had I ever WANTED to try Sake, but being the adventurer that I am, I gave it a try.
This swill, I’m guessing, wasn’t actually from Japan, despite the fancy schmancy Japanese writing on the bottle. I’m guessing it was home-brewed some place in Appalachia by brothers (and cousins) Bubba Joe and No-Teeth Cooter.
Ick is all I have to say.
Ick.
Well I also have to say it made my stomach feel very warm, but not in a good way that say, Peppermint Schnapps in a cup of hot cocoa does. I only had about 3 sips, but with the warmth emanating from my belly, it seemed liked a guzzled the whole bottle AND swallowed a glowing torch.
Tate was less than impressed also, though I don’t think his negative feelings were as strong or as WARM as mine.
We later learned from some high faluting, Sake drinking friends, that Sake is actually a lot better heated, like on the stove, as if Sake needs any help to make you feel warmer. If we can get the nerve, Tate and I will try the Sake again and report our findings.
The thrills! They just never end here on Playgroups are no place for children.
Carrie
May 21, 2009 at 2:05 am
Oh, sake is good served warm! I always drink it when I’m eating sushi, and those go well together- I think it would be a little strange on its own.
Now I’m going to go to bed and dream of sushi and sake. Yummmm.
Veronica
May 21, 2009 at 2:36 am
Mmmmm, cocoa with peppermint schnapps…
Wait, sorry I’m meant to be commenting on Sake. Uh, um, heh. Never tried it and after this, I don’t think I want to.
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Cathy
May 21, 2009 at 6:09 am
I tried sake once and it was okay.
That is all.
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DesignHER Momma
May 21, 2009 at 7:01 am
I’ve had sake just once, honestly I was less than impressed (and it was warm).
But, I’m pretty sure it was due to my lack of culture and love for cheap beer.
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valerie @ Robots and Candy
May 21, 2009 at 7:24 am
I’ve had sake a few times and I never like it. People always say, “Oh just have a little sip! It’s good! You’ll love it!” and apparently I am a very trusting soul and I drink it and I then singe their eyebrows with my throat fire as punishment.
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mep
May 21, 2009 at 7:26 am
I’m not a sake fan. The first time I tried it I was visiting my college roommate in San Francisco. We were eating sushi (which, at the time, I also did not like) and ordered sake. I was not enjoying mine AT ALL, and my friend could tell. That’s why I felt terrible when I accidentally knocked over the entire carafe (teapot?) of sake. It really was an accident.
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Sarah @ Ordinary Days
May 21, 2009 at 7:32 am
I’ve only had Sake once, at Geisha House in Atlanta. And I LOVED it!
I’m not a big liquor person, but the version I had was super sweet and I had no problem finishing the little caraffe they brought me.
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Amo
May 21, 2009 at 7:33 am
I have to agree with your friends on this one. Sake, while not one of my favorite alcoholic beverages, IS much better served warm.
The taste also improves when you are laughing with friends while someone is cooking in front of you on a hibachi.
Hibachi’s aren’t standard in kitchens build in Tennessee, so I would recommend hitting Kanpai Tokyo for a better experience.
I will be in town next weekend; let me know if you need a tour guide.
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Jean M.
May 21, 2009 at 8:13 am
You were very brave to try Sake from the grocery store and then try it cold/luke warm. I’ve never tried it but if I were, I’d feel braver trying it at Hibachi/Sushi restaurant.
Can’t wait for your next adventure.
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Michelle
May 21, 2009 at 8:43 am
I have never tried sake but lots of people do like it. I am not the biggest food adventurer but my husband encourages me to try new stuff. Have you ever had plum wine at a Japanese resturaunt? That is yummy!
Teri
May 21, 2009 at 9:37 am
You know what’s weird? In Canada – you can NEVER buy alcohol in the grocery store. Never. I think it’s always so bizarre to go to a grocery store in the States and have a beer aisle. Weird.
Miss
May 21, 2009 at 10:53 am
How could anyone move to anywhere where alcohol is not sold in grocery stores?
That seems like some kind of blasphamy.
kaitlynsage
May 21, 2009 at 11:17 am
Almost every time I go to Nama or Tomo, my friendly local sushi joints, one of my companions says “Let’s get some sake!” And for some inexplicable reason I always agree.
And then I start to regret the fact that I didn’t get that glass of wine or beer instead. I will take my rice un-fermented please.
Domestic Extraordinaire
May 21, 2009 at 1:45 pm
you keep all that sake to yourself. Please.
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Burgh Baby
May 21, 2009 at 2:23 pm
*sigh*
You’ve managed to make me long for the days of liquor in grocery stores . . . We only get that when we visit the in-laws in Indy. Funny how a state can be so kind as to recognize that we REALLY need booze while we’re there.
Sake is disgusting. That is all.
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Heidi
May 21, 2009 at 5:14 pm
We tried the same stuff not too long ago. You hit my reaction exactly. I didn’t know it should be heated… good to know.
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Mrs Marcos
May 21, 2009 at 9:25 pm
A couple of comments – here in the Minnesota we have ‘3.2 beer’ and wine coolers in grocery stores but nothing strong and you can’t buy any booze on Sundays (unless you cross the bridge to Wisconsin…pretty sure you can get a beer IN church in that state).
Sake – warm sake is not better than cold sake. It tastes like warm rubbing alcohol. Completely disgusting.
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Maggie
May 22, 2009 at 11:05 am
Actually, in my experience with Sake (quite a bit, as I love sushi, and Boyfriend travels to Japan at least 2x a year), though hot sake is good, it’s actually usually a cheaper sake, and it’s heated to partially mask how “bad” it really is (think the two buck chuck version of sake). The “good” sake is served cold, and once you’ve gotten used to the taste, you’ll probably realize this! If you’re not sure what constitutes as a “good” sake, your best bet is to ask at a sushi (or any Japanese restaurant) or a Japanese market, if there’s one near your home!
Stassja
May 22, 2009 at 1:22 pm
My mom LOVES sake, and will often heat up a tiny cup or two in the microwave in the evenings. Of course, her wine/liquor tastes run more towards the dry end of things. Dry whites and such. I like things on the drier end as well, can’t stand sweet alcohol, but for all the times I’ve tried it I still can’t like sake. And I love japanese shit!
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amy2boys
May 22, 2009 at 3:54 pm
Try some Ouzo. It’s Greek and tastes like Flaming Atomic Black Licorice. But – if you can get a couple shots in you you’ll be all good!
Swiggy
May 23, 2009 at 4:57 pm
I’ve never had it, but I have also heard that it is better warmed up. Maybe go to a Japanese restaurant and try theirs first – perhaps it was just the brand that Tate picked up.
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Dr. Grumpy
May 25, 2009 at 9:18 pm
I’d pour it out in the yard and see if it kills the grass.
Stick with Kahlua and those schnapps.
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Aimee Greeblemonkey
May 25, 2009 at 9:53 pm
ha, you have to find a good sake. Bad sake, blech.
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@heartmychloe
May 27, 2009 at 9:32 pm
mmmm sake. makes me want to warm some up right now. if you get a good bottle, it is sweeter and much more palatable when warmed. hope you try it again!
can always do sake bombs with the rest of the bottle you already have! (drop shotglass full of warmed sake into cold glass of sapporo or the like)
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Galaga_Playa
May 28, 2009 at 2:32 pm
I’m not sure what Sake is but since I always have to try new things I will now be on a mission to try it.
I never thought I’d like sushi, but I do now…so Sake might be the new sushi! I also thought I’d never like coffee or wine. What a taste bud I have!
brittany
May 31, 2009 at 9:09 am
Honestly, it is ONLY good in a drk sushi resturant with a big plate of sushi:)
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Lisa
May 31, 2009 at 11:24 pm
My friend and I once went to an authentic sushi bar and decided to try a sampler plate of all the different sushi AND a side of Sake.
We liked the sushi.
But the Sake?
It truly tasted like hot dirty Sock-ee….hot, dirty sock-ee that had been on someone’s hot, dirty feet-ee.
I had about 3 tiny sips and couldn’t take it anymore. Even the smell of that nasty stuff put me on the verge of tossing up my happily eaten raw eel. So no, it doesn’t get any better if it’s authentic and warm. lol
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