"Ochoko is a traditional japanese sake cup. It is a sake cup of that is commonly used when drinking alcohol in Japan. There are a variety of ingredients that subtly affect the taste of sake.
If you are wondering, "What is Ochoko?", here we will introduce you to Ochoko.
1.What is Ochoko?
Ochoko is one of the most popular japanese cup of sake. Small round cups made of various materials. The cup can hold between 18 and 72 milliliters of liquid. It's about the size of a shot glass. Unlike a shot glass, an ochoko is designed for sipping sake rather than gulping it down. An ochoko is also often used to pour sake. An ochoko is also perfect for warming or cold sake. One of the origins of the name Ochoko is that ``Ochoko'' comes from another word meaning ``something small or simple. There is also a theory that the origin of the word "ochoko" comes from the word "choku" or "a little bit.
There is an ochoko with two blue rings on a white background. Sake professionals use this blue and white ring to check the color and clarity of the sake. The white part of the cup makes the color of the alcohol stand out against the contrast of the blue ring. It has a symbolic design.
2. What is the history of ochoco?
It was originally used to hold vinegar and sauces.
It wasn't until the Edo period (1603-1867) that small chokos were used for drinking sake. As the alcohol content of sake began to increase, this small cup was perfect for sipping rather than swallowing.
3. What types of ochoko are there?
Ochoko can be made from many different materials. Different ingredients affect the sake by its aroma and even the temperature at which the sake can be served. I would like to introduce the types of japanese ochoko materials.
-Ceramic
Ceramic has excellent heat retention properties, allowing you to maintain the temperature of both cold and hot drinks for a long time, allowing you to enjoy the flavor and aroma of your drinks for a long time. It has no corners and has a soft texture that enhances its sweetness. Another feature of this material is that it is thick at the edges. It is said to go better with deep sake than with lighter sake. If you use it when drinking warm sake, it will make the drinker feel soft.
-Porcelain
It looks like pottery, and you can feel the soft taste of sake. However, it can be made thinner and lighter than ceramics, so it has properties similar to glass. It goes well with full-bodied to spicy and dry sakes.
-Glass
Glass does not have the unique taste or smell of the material, so you can enjoy the taste of sake as it is. A thin glass material is recommended for refreshing sakes such as Daiginjo. Also, people who want to observe the color of alcohol because of its transparency. Colored glass is also available, which may be a good choice for those looking for something more glamorous and visually superior.
-Metal
This material is said to purify water and give sake a smooth taste. It is a material that has been used for sake cups for a long time, so much so that it is said that ``sake warmed with pewter is of a higher quality. The metal cup will keep your drinks cold. Metal ochoko goes well with cold, strong and flavorful sake.
4. Ochoco? A sake cup? A drink? What's the difference?
-Ochoko
An ochoko is a small ceramic cup generally used to pour alcoholic beverages such as sake or shochu. Usually the capacity is about 18-72ml.
-Sakazuki
Generally used in tea ceremonies and tea ceremonies, it is a vessel for pouring tea, sake, etc.. It is slightly larger than the Ochoco, and its capacity is usually 60ml or more. Sake cups come in a variety of materials and designs.
-Guinomi
A guinomi is a container for drinking alcoholic beverages such as sake or shochu, slightly larger than an ochoko and usually holding about 100ml to 180ml. It is made of ceramic or glass and has a rounded shape that makes it easy to hold.
5. How to use an ochoko?
How to hold an ochoko: An ochoko is a small cup and is usually held with one hand. It is common to hold it by lightly pinching it with your fingers. How to pour: When pouring sake into an ochoko, it is common to pour at an angle toward the other person. In particular, it is common in Japanese drinking culture to tip your own ochoko and pour to the other person when their ochoko is empty.
Choko is sometimes used for toasting on special occasions or at banquets. In this case, everyone can raise their ochoko and make a toast.
When using ochoko, it is important to be polite and show respect to the other person. Also, when the other person is pouring the ochoko, polite behavior is required, such as supporting the ochoko with your hand and waiting.
Just as there are many different flavours of sake, there are many different types of ochoko(sake cups). It is fun to find a set that matches the individuality of your sake in terms of material, shape and design.
Enjoy your sake!
