Introducing “Guinomi”
It is one of the traditional Japanese sake vessels. Literally, it means "drinking vessel" and is mainly used for enjoying alcoholic beverages such as sake and shochu.
Guinomi is a type of sake cup used when enjoying sake. Its history is said to begin in the Azuchi-Momoyama period.
It is believed that Guinomi first appeared as a kaiseki meal in the late Azuchi-Momoyama period. Mukozuke is a dish used to serve a la carte dishes and sake appetizers served at kaiseki.
The origin of the word ``guin'' is that the word ``gui'' refers to drinking alcohol all at once, and ``nomi'' means ``to drink.'' There is a theory that these words were combined to form the word ``guinomi,'' which came to be used as a vessel for drinking alcohol all at once.
❶What is the charm of Guinomi?
The shape and material of a sake cup have characteristics that enhance the flavor of alcoholic beverages. The wide bottom and narrow mouth shape prevents the aroma of alcohol from escaping, allowing you to enjoy the deep flavor. It is one of Japan's traditional sake vessels, and embodies Japan's drinking culture and aesthetic sense. Its style and shape reflect the Japanese aesthetic sense and craftsmanship. They generally do not have handles and are characterized by a design that fits comfortably in your hand. This allows you to enjoy your time enjoying sake more comfortably. They are made from a variety of materials such as ceramics, glass, and wood. They also come in a variety of styles, from traditional designs to modern ones. You can feel the Japanese atmosphere and Japanese tradition, and it goes particularly well with Japanese food, so you can feel its charm even more when you enjoy it with Japanese food.
❷So, what is the difference between "ochoko" and "guinon"?
Ochoco is usually cylindrical or slightly flared in diameter. On the other hand, a sake cup has a narrow mouth and a widened bottom, and typically does not have a handle. The capacity of ochoko is 18ml to 72ml, but guinomi is often 100ml or more.The amount of a sip varies depending on the type of alcohol, the drinker's preferences, region, and culture, but generally speaking, when we call a sip of alcohol, we are referring to an amount of approximately 100ml to 180ml. However, this is a general guideline and is not a specifically prescribed exact amount.
❸Does Guinomi go well with various types of alcohol?
- Japanese sake
Guinen is a traditional sake cup for enjoying sake. Because the shape and material bring out the flavor of sake, it goes particularly well with aromatic sake such as Junmai sake and Ginjo sake. It is generally drunk chilled, but it can also be enjoyed lukewarm or hot. It also has the ability to change the taste of the alcohol itself. For example, the shape of the drinking spout. Beverages with an outward opening have a nice aroma and a milder taste, while those with an open mouth opening on the inside have a lighter, cleaner taste. Also, the flavor of the sake will be different depending on the material of the sake cup, so it would be a good idea to change the type of sake cup to match the type of alcohol. For example, glass sake cups have a thin spout, which is said to enhance the sharp taste of sake.
- Shochu
Shochu also goes well with sake cups. There are many different types of shochu, especially potato shochu and barley shochu, but it's best to choose the one that best suits your taste and the flavor you want to drink. It is commonly drunk with ice or water.
- whiskey
- Plum wine
When you pour plum wine into a sake cup, you can fully enjoy its mellow sweetness and plum flavor. You can also enjoy it refreshingly by adding ice or dipping it with soda.
You can also enjoy cocktails made using cocktail cups. For example, if you serve highballs, sours, martinis, etc. in guinomi, you can enjoy a special atmosphere with the Japanese atmosphere.
Be sure to try out different types of sake with different types of sake cups.
