As such, a sweet potato shochu will taste very different from a rice shochu. It was traditionally made with rice but, ever since distilling rice was banned during the Korean War, distillers have used other grains and starches, such as wheat, sweet potatoes, and even tapioca. And how does soju play into things? Soju is made with rice as well as ingredients like sweet potatoes and barley. Fresh! The probable origin of sake was between 710A.D. Shochu vs. soju In addition to the rise of izakayas in the Bay Area, Lim believes that the marketing of shochu's Korean equivalent, soju, has helped shochu become better known. Soju is a distilled South Korean beverage, while sake is a brewed Japanese rice beverage. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Copyright © 2020, Difference Between | Descriptive Analysis and Comparisons. It was commonly used for religious ceremonies, court festivals, and drinking games. Sake, like beer, is produced by means of a brewing process in which the sugar needed to produce alcohol must first be converted from starch. It is well known that the Japanese culture of drinking is usually. The glasses are small, as are the bottles – usually 375ml – and soju is reasonably priced, compared with sake and other spirits. Sake is best served room temperature. content so is closer to sochu than sake that way. The probable origin of sake was between … Soju is a drink similar to vodka. It has a neutral flavor, like vodka, but half the alcohol content — it t… Korean soju is made from potatoes (and a whole lotta chemicals) and is in some ways closer to vodka; Japanese sake is made from rice. Aside from their different countries of origin and alcohol contents, these two clear beverages also feature key contrasts in their production processes, flavors, and serving suggestions. Soju is the world’s top-selling liquor by volume. Sake, also spelled as saké or saki, is often called rice wine. Soju is the top-selling liquor by volume in the world, but it’s not legally considered a spirit everywhere. Aspergillus oryzae. It's not sake.It's not soju.It's shochu, and while this Japanese spirit may be lesser known to some, shochu, which is typically brewed from grains or starches then distilled, is popping up on bar shelves in D.C., especially when it comes to cocktails.. Mostly, people confuse shochu with Korean soju, not only because they sound alike, but because soju is like the popular, older-brother to shochu. Soju is a clear spirit from Korea and is consistently one of, if not the most-consumed alcohol by volume year after year worldwide, although it’s dwarfed in popularity by Japanese sake and sochu. Sake is an alcoholic beverage from Japan, whereas, soju is an alcoholic beverage from Korea. Meanwhile, sake continues to gain popularity, with … To make premium sake, brewers polish it further, to varying degrees. Post-WWII modern Korean soju, like those served in today’s Korean restaurants and karaoke bars, is multi-distilled. First, most soju ads are like this. Sake is brewed, not distilled (and by the way, it should not be called a “rice wine” either; wine requires grapes or at the very least fermented fruit juice). This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions. The biggest difference is how the two are made: Sake is fermented and brewed like beer and soju is distilled like vodka. 3. Apple. Soju is often sweeter while sake is dry in comparison. Shochu is also most often consumed on the rocks, mixed with cold or hot water, or with fresh juice, which lowers the alcohol content even further to about 12 to 15 percent ABV, similar to a glass of wine. All rice grains are polished about 10 percent before they reach a sake brewery. Soju is consumed cold and sake is often warmed. As a result, sojus vary in aroma and flavor. It’s no secret that Asian spirits are on the rise. Sake vs Soju. Shochu is the most popular spirit in its homeland of Japan, and it’s reportedly making a splash stateside in Highball variations and posh umami cocktails. Even top sushi restaurants never mention anything like it in their menus so had assumed that sake was the equivalent of soju in terms of nationality. It boasts a slightly sweet flavor and a higher alcohol content than most wines (ABV 15% to 20%). As mentioned in the table above, Sake has an alcohol content of around 18-20% and tastes more like beer than wine. You’ll often see these numbers on sake menus or on sake bottle labels. For many people, alcohol is a part of their daily life, it is a lifestyle, a beverage, and a tool to socialize while also can be categorized as a tranquilizer for some. Soju is the world’s top-selling liquor by volume. Consequently, shochu can be stored for long periods of time while sake has a limited shelf life. Soju should not be confused with two other types of rice-based spirits, sake and shochu. Soju is clear and colorless and is widely consumed in Korea, mainly due to its low price. Sake is a drink which is made with the help of rice mostly while Soju is a drink which is made by mixing rice with other grains such as barley, wheat, and sweet potatoes. Shochu vs. Soju! Dry vermouth is another fortified wine that is originally from Spain. In his book The Year of Drinking Adventurously: 52 Ways to Get Out of Your Comfort Zone, Jeff Cioletti breaks it down as follows: Sake brewed with rice polished to 70 percent its original size is generally referred to as either junmai or honjozo. Soju vs Sake Japan has a similar spirit to soju called shochu. However, it is often considered to have a taste sweeter than vodka due to the sugars added in the manufacturing process. Have you ever wondered how the Japanese sake, Soju (Korean liquor), Shoku (Japanese liquor) is different? According to Yukari Sakamoto, sommelier, certified shochu advisor, and author of “Food Sake Tokyo,” shochu flavor and quality can vary greatly. Sake vs Soju. Sake is low-proof alcohol made from rice (often referred to as rice wine, although it's brewed like beer rather than fermented like sake), with alcohol content roughly between 15-19%. Soju doesn't cheat you. Soju and sake have a slightly higher calorie count, clocking in at about 65 and 80 calories respectively per 1.5-ounce serving. 2. It can also be used as a substitute spirit in classic cocktails like the Martini or Negroni. Difference Between Soju and Sake: Conclusion. Posted on July 24, 2013 by yasuyasuyasu731 Standard (The first photo is of Sake , The second photo is of Soju) Sake and Soju are both alcoholic beverages. Starting off our top 3 now! In Japan, sake is a generalized term referring to any and all alcoholic beverages. We love this one, it's very smooth, and tastes and smells a lot like … There are so many people wondering how SAKE (Sake) SOJU (SOUCH) Korean liquor and SHOCHU (CHOJU) Japanese liquor is different. Now let us take a look at how these three drinks are different from each other! Also, the higher alcohol content and drier feel is more appealing to many in milder climates. Multi-Distilled vs. Single-Distilled One of the biggest differences between shochu and soju today is in the production method. Sake quality and cost are all about the level of polish, or the amount the rice grains have been milled before brewing. Here’s a breakdown of all the differences among sake, soju, and shochu. Difference Between | Descriptive Analysis and Comparisons, Counterintelligence Investigation vs Criminal Investigation, Microsoft Surface RT vs Dell XPS 10 Tablet. Once, sake was the dominant alcoholic beverage in Japan. Soju and shochu are both made from a base of fermented ingredients, often grain, such as rice or barley. Sake is an alcoholic beverage from Japan, whereas, soju is an alcoholic beverage from Korea. In spite of that, they are quickly becoming household names worldwide. This wine is often … But they can also be made from buckwheat, sweet potatoes, or, in … This is mainly due to its ready availability and relatively low price. It is traditionally made from wheat, barley or rice. Does Soju taste like Sake? Alcoholic beverages with an ABV below 25% are considered light alcoholic beverages, while beverages with an ABV above 25% are considered hard liquor. Soju (/ ˈ s oʊ dʒ uː /; from Korean: 소주; 燒酒) is a clear, colorless distilled alcoholic beverage of Korean origin. to 794 A.D. Although both drinks have some similarities, they have many apparent disparities. Top-quality shochu, called honkaku shochu, is single-distilled, allowing it to retain the flavors of its base ingredient. When comparing sake with soju, most Americans are far more familiar with the former, a frequent sushi companion. According to a report published by Nicholas Harkness, Department of Anthropology, Harvard University, soju is a colorless distilled beverage from Korea that can range in ABV from 16-50%. From the alcoholic content, some Soju may have higher alcohol content than Sake. OK, let's compare soju vs. shochu ads. From the origin, both alcoholic beverages comes from different places, Soju from Korea while Sake comes from Japan. The brewing process differs for sake in the manner that the conversion from starch to sugar and in turn from sugar to alcohol occurs simultaneously. Most brands of soju are made in South Korea. Soju tastes pretty much like diluted Vodka, while Sake’s flavors vary from sweetness, umami, saltiness, sourness to bitterness. It is usually consumed neat, and its alcohol content varies from about 16.8% to 53% alcohol by volume (ABV). Hence, a number of breweries have popped up in China, Southeast Asia, South America, North America, and Australia. Junmai means “pure,” and the alcohol content of these sakes comes solely from the fermentation of the rice. Soju is a clear spirit that originated in Korea. The production methods are similar and it is also distilled from a variety of grains such as soju, i.e. In sake’s case, it is then fermented a second time with koji mold. Soju with 20% is the most common. Sake vs Soju: Which have higher alcohol content? Korea and Japan produce two other alcoholic beverages that are similar as well. Soju always stands by you (with pretty girls). Sometimes, sake is compared to soju. To the newbie, soju and sake may seem somewhat challenging to tell apart, particularly since both soju and sake are clear alcoholic beverages that contain the same ABV; at approximately 14-24%. Cozy!!! In New York and California, for example, soju no more than 24 percent alcohol by volume can be sold under a beer and wine license, which is cheaper and easier for restaurants to acquire than a liquor license. And how about shochu's? Sake is a fermented rice wine from Japan and can range from 15-40% ABV. In 2007, the number of breweries in Japan amounted to 1,845, down from 3,229 breweries in fiscal 1975. Nor is it Japanese vodka, or a distilled spirit of any kind. Flavor-wise, sake can range from dry to sweet, measured by the Sake Meter Value (SMV), a numerical scale ranging from -15 to +15, with dryness increasing with number. Sake is a traditional Japanese beverage made from fermented rice. From the main ingredient used, Soju can be made from various grains as well as starches while Sake is only made from rice. While delicious to sip with a meal, sake is often used in marinades, sauces, soups, and other recipes to add delicate flavor depth and tenderize meats. Sake is meant to be enjoyed within a year of its release, while shochu is often aged in steel tanks or oak barrels to improve its flavor. Like vodka, it is often drunk neat, and sometimes as a cocktail. Sake and Soju are both alcoholic beverages. In contrast, most Japanese shochus are single-distilled. Image Courtesy: japanesestyle.com, gluttonguide101.blogspot.com. What English speaking countries refer to as sake, is in fact termed nihonshu in Japanese. Culturally, soju is more a working man’s drink to be sloshed back in the park or bar, and sake feels to me to be a more elegant drink to be mulled over. Shochu is also most commonly made from sweet potato (imo-jochu), barley (mugi-jochu), or rice (kome-jochu). True sake is made from rice, water, and kōji mold, i.e. Sake is a brewed alcohol while Shochu is distilled liquor, which also leads to the difference in alcohol contents. Soju is often mistaken for Chinese baijiu, and/or Japanese shōchū. Maybe I'll start a new column "Soju Stop", starting next time. It typically runs with a 20-34 percent abv. Even though, sake is called rice wine, the actual process of producing sake is similar to beer. If alcohol is added to boost ABV, that’s honjozo sake. Sake Vs Shochu; History of Alcoholic Beverage. Sake typically has a lower alcohol content than soju. Still, there has been an increased interest in sake, especially from the western countries. They are traditionally made from rice; however modern producers often use potatoes, wheat, barley, sweet potatoes, or tapioca instead of rice. Ginjo refers to sake whose rice grains are polished to 60 percent or less; and daiginjo, to 50 percent or less. What’s the difference between sake and shochu? You can learn more about sake styles here. The similarity in appearance alone is enough to throw off most of the uninitiated. For some consumers, however, questions cloud these categories. Sexy!!! Unlike many other beverages, shochu is made from one of several raw materials. In 2004, it is estimated that more than 3 billion bottles of soju were consumed in South Korea. Once again, while the former comes from South Korea, the latter comes from Japan. © 2014 - 2020 VinePair Inc. — Made In NYC, Next Round Live: What's Happening in the Drinks Industry Now, Every Beer Lover Needs This Hop Aroma Poster, though Americans are often taught or tempted, The Year of Drinking Adventurously: 52 Ways to Get Out of Your Comfort Zone, A Clear-Cut Guide to the Right Type of Ice for Every Cocktail, The 10 Best Champagnes for Every Occasion (2020), 10 Things You Should Know About Francis Ford Coppola Winery, The Differences Between Soju, Shochu, and Sake, Explained | VinePair, https://vinepair.com/articles/soju-shochu-sake-difference/, wbs_cat Beer, wbs_cat Spirit, wbs_cat Wine, wbs_type Sake, wbs_type Shochu, wbs_type Soju, explainer, sake, shochu, soju, A Clear-Cut Guide to the Right Type of Ice for Every Cocktail | VinePair, https://vinepair.com/articles/best-ice-for-cocktails-guide/, wbs_cat Spirit, bartender, cocktail, explainer, ice. Meanwhile, the alcohol content of Soju is higher, about 20-40%. Let’s get this out of the way: Sake is not rice wine. Dry Vermouth. It is usually clear and still; but unfiltered sake is milky white, and some sakes are carbonated. One can also see a difference in the environment in which the two beverages are made. I wanna drink with her so bad. Sake and Soju are both alcoholic beverages. Pretty!! Meanwhile, sake continues to gain popularity, with U.S. sales increasing annually since the 1990s. Shochu is similar to soju, but like sake, it originated in Japan. But all those sips add up. Nonetheless, I also thought this article a bit biased because … Shochu originated in Japan at least 500 years ago. Sake, also spelled as saké or saki, is often called rice wine. ByAdmin August 24, 2017 No Comments. However, due to globalization, beer, wine, and other western spirits were introduced into Japan, especially after World War II. It has a neutral flavor, like vodka, but half the alcohol content — it typically hovers between 20 and 34 percent ABV, compared to vodka’s 40 percent ABV. The more polished the rice, the cleaner and more elegant the flavor, ranging from rich and nutty, to light and fruity. While Soju has a better production in warm climates, Sake has a better production in cool climates. What English speaking countries refer to as sake, is in fact termed nihonshu in Japanese. As a result, sojus vary in aroma and flavor.Soju is most often drunk straight with food, like wine, but is also used in cocktails, like a spirit. In conclusion, we have to point out that there is no sake vs soju discussion that does not point to their countries of origin. Take your soju time. In Japan, sake is a generalized term referring to any and all alcoholic beverages. Beer, whiskey, and wine have gained popularity in recent years mainly due to westernization of culture. Soju is a clear spirit that originated in Korea. 1. Sake has more in common with beer than any other alcoholic beverage. However, the ABV of sake is often reduced to 15% by diluting it with water prior to bottling. Shochu is the most popular spirit in its homeland of Japan, and it’s reportedly making a splash stateside in Highball variations and posh umami cocktails. It can also be served cold or warm, though the latter is often reserved for cheaper, less refined sake. It shares certain characteristics with soju, including a similarly low ABV (between 25 and 30 percent ABV on average) and pronunciation. In the 1960s beer consumption surpassed sake and the production of sake has been declining since the mid 1970s. Undiluted sake contains 18%–20% alcohol by volume (ABV), higher than the ABV of wine (9%–16%) or beer (3%–9%). Perhaps unsurprisingl Still, soju remains one of the most popular alcoholic beverages in Korea. Sake is an alcoholic beverage from Japan, whereas, soju is an alcoholic beverage from Korea. 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