There is no doubt that Sake remains one of the most popular drinks in Japan. Over the years, it has become even more popular. Today, the sophisticated taste of rice-based alcohol is reaching more and more people across the world.
Japanese Sake is loved by many people worldwide, and those who visit Japan do remember to take a bottle of Sake back to their home as a souvenir. Sake goes well with almost all dishes and can be enjoyed at home. If you want to enjoy Sake the traditional way, you will need to buy a Japanese Sake Set.
The Japanese Sake Set
Japanese Sake Set basically includes a flask and some cups to serve a Sake. Commonly these sets are made of ceramic, but one also comes across Sake Sets made of lacquered wood, wood glass, or plastic. One can buy the flask and the cups individually or separately.
- The Server – The server or the flask is also referred to as tokkuri, which is usually designed with a narrow neck. Nowadays, different shapes in the servers are available in the market. Traditionally, the server is placed in a pan of hot water. The narrow neck prevents the heat from escaping. Ceramic Japanese Sake sets and servers are more popular because they can retain the heat for longer period of time.
- The Drinking Cups – In the early days, Sake was sold with the help of measuring cups, known as a masu. These varied in their volumes and were also used to drink Sake from. Wooden cups were commonly used to complement the traditionally brewed Sakes. However, today, the drinking cups or masu are made of plastic or lacquerware. The traditional sake-serving cup is still used in special occasions as authentic Japanese sake set. However, today, Sake is commonly served in ceramic cups. As the flavour of the Sake can change with temperature, it is best to serve the drink in smaller cups.
How Would You Choose The Best Japanese Sake Sets?
Today, you will come across a huge variety in the market when it comes to Japanese sake sets. There are vintage Japanese sake sets or handmade Japanese sake sets. They vary mostly because of the material used, shapes, and design. For example, a small sake cup, Ochoko, has a special shape that allows the fragrance of the sake to waft upwards. If you want to enjoy the fragrance, then you can go for Ochoko with a wider mouth. Small sake cups in different colours and shapes are often bought as souvenirs. Special masu is available as a wooden square box, and often, you will find Sake served in masu containers in most restaurants in Japan.
The modern and sophisticated way of serving Sake is in a glass. There is no denying that glass enhances the look and flavour of the Sake. One can enjoy a smoother texture of the drink when they sip it gently from the glass. The glasses are good for serving delicate
Flat Sake cups or Sakazuki are wide-mouthed. It is an ancient way of enjoying the Sake and was popularly used for rituals and ceremonies. Typically, both hands are used to hold the wide-mouthed cup and these cups are available in a number of sizes. Shuki, made of pure wood, carries a drum-like shape, and it is known as sake vessels.
Today, the designer Japanese sake sets are beautifully decorated and made of different materials such as porcelain, clay, or lacquered wood. Go ahead and buy a sake set based on how you would like to use it.
