Basics of sake carafe (Tokkuri)
A tokuri is a vessel used primarily for pouring sake, with a narrow neck and a bulge at the bottom.
The history of the tokuri dates back to the Muromachi period (1333-1573), and the current shape and name began to be used in the Edo period (1603-1867).
Common sizes range from 1 gou (6 oz , 180 ml) to 2 gou (12 oz , 360 ml), with the largest being 1 sho (60 oz , 1.8 l).
Sake carafe (Katakuchi)
In addition to the tokuri, there is also a vessel for pouring sake called a katakuchi. A katakuchi generally has a wider mouth than a tokuri, with a spout on only one side. This shape makes it easier to control the flow of sake when pouring, and is especially useful for heating sake with a sake warmer.
The capacity is about the same as a Tokkuri.
Characteristics of Katakuchi
Shape: Wide base and large mouth. The spout appears to be cut off at an angle on one side.
Uses: Mainly used for warming sake, but can also be used to pour cold sake. The wide spout makes it easy to equalize the temperature of the sake when heating it, and it is also aesthetically pleasing when pouring cold sake.
Materials: Various materials are used, including ceramic, porcelain, glass, and Tin.
How to choose a sake carafe
There are several types of materials: ceramic, glass, and Tin, each with different characteristics.
Ceramic softens the taste of sake, glass has a better design, and metal has a higher thermal conductivity.
It is important to choose one that best suits the type of sake and the way you drink it.
Ceramic (pottery), glass, and metal tokkuri each have different characteristics that uniquely affect the way sake is drunk. Understanding these characteristics and choosing the appropriate tokkuri will help you enjoy sake even more.
Ceramic (pottery) sake carafe
Characteristics: Ceramic tokkuri retain heat well and have low thermal conductivity, making them ideal for enjoying warmed sake slowly. The ceramic texture is also said to soften the taste of sake and bring out its smoothness.
Recommended drinking: Heating sake. Use a tokkuri to slowly warm sake and enjoy the warmth and depth of the sake. Suitable for junmai sake and mellow sake.
Glass sake carafe
Characteristics: Glass Tokkuri are transparent and can show the color of sake beautifully. It is suitable for enjoying cold sake as it retains less heat than ceramic sake. It also creates a cool and refreshing appearance.
Recommended drinking: Cold sake. It is ideal for enjoying chilled, crisp-tasting sake, especially during the summer and warmer months. It goes well with Ginjo-shu and light dry sake.
Tin sake carafe
Characteristics: Tin sake cups have high thermal conductivity, and tin cups in particular are believed to mellow the taste of sake.
Heat is easily transferred evenly, making it easier to maintain a constant temperature when heating sake.
Recommended drinking: both heated and chilled sake. The high thermal conductivity allows heated sake to be heated quickly and evenly.
It also helps keep sake cold longer when serving cold sake. They are especially suitable for sake that is rich in flavor and whose flavor should change with the change in temperature.
By choosing a drinking method that takes advantage of the characteristics of each sake bottle, you can maximize the diverse flavors of sake and deepen your enjoyment.
How to use Tokkuri and Katakuchi
Sake is called by different names depending on its temperature. Heating sake in a pot or using a microwave oven are two methods of heating sake.
Since the flavor and aroma of sake changes with temperature, it is important to enjoy sake at the proper temperature.
How to Wash Tokkuri
There are several ways to wash a tokkuri, depending on its material.
Ceramic tokkuri should be soaked in hot water, glass tokkuri should be soaked in diluted washing-up liquid, and metal tokkuri should be gently washed with a soft sponge.
Manners for tokkuri
It is considered bad manners to hold the sake cup with both hands while pouring, or to look into or shake the cup.
Why not choose the cup set of your choice and enjoy drinking sake?
It's a great way to serve sake to your friends with the sake cups you have chosen.