🍶Japanese Sake cup

🍶What are the Sake cups called? - Types of Sake Cups

In Japan, the term "sake cup" is generally collectively called "shuki" or "shuhai," but there are several other names depending on the specific shape and use.

1. Ochoko
Size: A small sake cup with a capacity of about 18ml to 72ml.
Usage: Used to drink a small amount of sake. Suitable for enjoying the aroma and taste slowly.

2. Guinomi
Size:Larger than an ochoko, with a capacity of about 100ml to 180ml.
Use: A sake cup for drinking a large amount of sake at once. As the name suggests, it is suitable for drinking "in one gulp".

3. Sakazuki
Size: A sake cup characterized by its flat and shallow shape.
Usage: Often used for ceremonies and special occasions. Used in ceremonial situations such as weddings and festivals.

4. Masu (Masu)
Overview: A square wooden container, usually with a capacity of 180ml.

※What is sake set?

A sake set is a complete set of sake utensils necessary for enjoying sake. The sake set includes a tokkuri (cup for pouring sake), an ochoko (cup for drinking sake), a sakazuki (cup for drinking sake), and so on.

🍶Materials for sake cups

1. Glass sake cup
Description:Sake cups made of clear glass. Some are shaped like shot glass or wine glass.
Uses: To enjoy the flavor of sake, especially for ginjo-shu and daiginjo-shu. Often used with cold sake.

2. ceramic sake cup
Description:Various shapes and designs with high heat retention properties.

Uses: Suitable for heating sake, such as hot sake or lukewarm sake. It mellows the taste and improves the mouthfeel.

Hot sake or warm sake is served in ceramic, and cold sake in a glass. Understanding these names and their uses will help you to better appreciate the culture and enjoyment of drinking sake. Take advantage of the characteristics of each sake cup and enjoy sake in the optimal way.

🍶Why do Japanese pour sake over the glass?

The custom of serving sake to the brim is deeply rooted in Japanese sake culture, and there are several reasons and meanings for this.

1. The spirit of hospitality
Symbol of abundance: Pouring sake to overflowing represents the utmost hospitality to the customer. The glass is filled to overflowing, showing a generous welcome and gratitude to the customer.
Thoughtfulness beyond fullness: Overflowing sake conveys the thoughtfulness of wanting the customer to enjoy the drink to the fullest.

2. Good luck
Fruit and prosperity: Overflowing sake is a symbol of abundance and prosperity and is considered auspicious. It is especially done on festive occasions to pray for good luck and prosperity.
Unlimited happiness: Overflowing sake is also said to bring "unlimited happiness.

3. Tradition and Culture
Edo period customs: This is one of the customs that has continued since the Edo period, and the customs of sake shops and drinking establishments at that time have been passed down to the present day.
Bar culture: The culture of drinking sake developed in bars and izakayas, and has become established as etiquette and manners in these places.

4. Sharing and bonding
Sharing with friends: Sharing overflowing sake with everyone deepens bonds with friends and family. Sharing creates a sense of togetherness and solidarity.
Exchange cups: Pouring sake for each other and drinking the overflowing sake also has a ritual meaning of building trust and friendship.

⭐️Specific ways of practicing
Masu and ochoko: A common method is to place a choko in a wooden masu (masu) and pour sake until it overflows.The overflowing sake collects in the masu and is drunk at the end.

Glass:Nowadays, when sake is poured into a glass, it is sometimes poured until it overflows, so that the sake spills into the saucer.Even in this case, it is polite to drink the sake from the saucer last.For these reasons, the custom of pouring sake to the brim reflects a deep cultural background and spirit of hospitality, and is part of Japan's unique sake culture.

🍶Is sake stronger than soju, Korean rice liquor?

Alcohol content of sake
Common sake: Usually around 15% to 20%.However, some high-quality sakes, such as ginjo sake and daiginjo sake, have an alcohol content of about 14% to 17%.

Comparison with other alcoholic beverages

Beer: Usually around 4% to 6% alcohol by volume.Much lower than sake.Wine: Usually around 11% to 14%. Some are close to sake, but sake is often slightly higher.
Shochu: Usually around 25% alcohol by volume, but some are under 20% and some are over 35%. Often higher than sake.
Soju: Alcohol content: Usually around 16 to 25%, but recently there have been low alcohol versions of 13 to 15%.

The alcohol content of sake is higher than beer and wine, but lower than distilled spirits such as whiskey and vodka. For this reason, sake is best enjoyed slowly and is often consumed with food. There are also special sake vessels (such as sake cups and sake goblets) for enjoying the flavor and aroma of sake.

🍶Why are sake cups small?

To enjoy the taste of sake
Because the sake cup is small, you can drink a small amount at a time. This allows you to enjoy the taste and aroma of sake slowly. With a small cup, you can feel the fresh aroma and taste every time you drink.

Temperature Control
The taste of sake changes greatly depending on the temperature. If you use a small cup, you can drink it at the right temperature, such as warm or cold. If you use a large cup, the temperature will change easily and the flavor may be lost.

Japanese culture
In Japanese drinking culture, pouring sake for each other is considered an important courtesy. By using a small sake cup, you will have more opportunities to pour sake for each other, which promotes communication. This will deepen your interactions at drinking parties and banquets.

Drink in moderation
Drinking from a small cup avoids consuming a large amount of sake at once and promotes drinking in moderation. This prevents overdrinking and promotes healthy drinking.

Historical background
The design of traditional Japanese sake cups is based on historical background and craftsmanship. Small cups have evolved over a long history as the optimal size.