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Sake On Air

A bi-weekly podcast exploring the stories of sake. Brought to you by experts on the front lines of the industry in Japan.

Earlier this week the sake industry received some amazing news: "traditional sake brewing" was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. However, the term is rather vague on its own. So for this episode of Sake on Air, our hosts Arline Lyons and Frank Walter set out to clarify what "traditional sake brewing" means, the potential benefits of the listing, and what it might mean for the future.

Arline and Cindy went to a celebration event in Itami and got to talk with sake brewers, shochu distillers, mirin producers, and a wide range of other people and organizations (including an many people from the Japanese press). Arline collected statements from sake brewers both in Japan and overseas, Koji spore makers and other industry professionals to hear what they think the listing means. Everyone is excited by this international recognition and proud that the skills involved in sake-making are now valued as highly as washoku, traditional Japanese food culture, which received the same recognition in 2014.This is just the beginning and many people in the sake and shochu industry plan to use the UNESCO listing to promote koji, nihonshu, shochu, awamori, mirin and the skills needed to produce them both in Japan and overseas. 

As always, if you have questions or comments please do share them with us at questions@sakeonair.com or head over to our Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook we would love to hear from you!We’ll be back very soon with plenty more Sake On Air.Until then, kampai!Sake On Air is made possible with the generous support of the Japan Sake & Shochu Makers Association and is broadcast from the Japan Sake & Shochu Information Center in Tokyo. Sake on Air was created by Potts K Productions and is produced by Export Japan. Our theme, “Younger Today Than Tomorrow” was composed by forSomethingNew for Sake On Air.

Traditional Sake Making is World Heritage!

A few weeks ago we celebrated the exciting news of “Traditional Sake Brewing with Koji” being listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage (if you missed it you can find out more here) and in this episode, we decided to dive deeper into the world of koji as we had the immense pleasure of interviewing Higuchi Koichi, owner of Higuchi Matsunosuke Shoten Co., Ltd. and one of the experts in koji starter manufacturing in Japan!

So join us as our regular hosts Rebekah Wilson-Lye, John Gauntner, and Arline Lyons sit down at our base, the Japan Sake and Shochu Information Center with Higuchi Koichi to dive into the fascinating world of koji—the mold at the heart of Japanese fermentation culture. 

Learn more about what koji is, as Higuchi breaks down the different types of koji (yellow, white, black) and their unique roles in sake brewing, miso, shoyu, and other fermented foods. He also shares his journey into the koji industry and a behind-the-scenes look at the production process, the types of koji his company produces, and some of his ongoing projects in the world of fermentation. Although many of them are rather secret, he was able to share some details about a recent collaboration with Kewpie (possibly the best-selling Japanese brand of mayonnaise in Japan) and how he is creating “egg koji” for them on a quest to bring more umami to their products…

For anyone curious about Koichi Higuchi and his company Higuchi Matsunosuke Shoten Co., Ltd., you can find more information here and if you would love to learn more about Koji and how it is used in Sake brewing check out our “Episode-23: Koji Basics” to get started.

As always, if you have questions or comments please do share them with us at questions@sakeonair.com or head over to our Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook we would love to hear from you!

We’ll be back very soon with plenty more Sake On Air.

Until then, kampai!

Sake On Air is made possible with the generous support of the Japan Sake & Shochu Makers Association and is broadcast from the Japan Sake & Shochu Information Center in Tokyo. Sake on Air was created by Potts K Productions and is produced by Export Japan. Our theme, “Younger Today Than Tomorrow” was composed by forSomethingNew for Sake On Air.

Talking Koji with Higuchi Koichi

There is a new sake book on the market: SAKE: The Art and Craft of Japan's National Drink written by no other Yoshiko UENO-Müller, founder of Ueno Gourmet, Sake Samurai, and acclaimed Sake Educator (among her many other titles).

Join hosts Cindy Bissig and Frank Walter as they chat with Yoshiko-san and delve into what inspired her to write her second book, her passion for sake, and what brought her into the fascinating world of sake in the first place. 

Not a “coffee table book” but a “sake table book”, it is not just for sake lovers, but will also appeal to Japan fans, and gourmets alike providing a unique perspective into the world of Japanese sake and the communities surrounding it. Overflowing with beautiful imagery, it’s as much a visual treat as it is an informative read.

We’ll chat about what makes this book so special as we dive into the 3 parts of it. In Part 1 - Origins, we discover the history and cultural roots of sake. In Part 2 - we learn how Japan’s unique landscapes and sake artisans shape this craft, and in Part 3 - Yoshiko-san takes us on a journey to explore sake’s role in gastronomy.

So whether you're a sake connoisseur or a curious beginner, this episode is the perfect guide to deepen your appreciation for Japan’s national drink.

For anyone curious about Yoshiko UENO-Müller and her company Ueno Gourmet, make sure to check out her Instagram, as well as her online shop here. And if you like to get a copy of the book, check out your nearest bookstore, or even better, head over to Amazon to get your copy shipped directly to your doorstep!

As always, if you have questions or comments please do share them with us at questions@sakeonair.com or head over to our Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook we would love to hear from you!

We’ll be back very soon with plenty more Sake On Air.

Until then, kampai!

Sake On Air is made possible with the generous support of the Japan Sake & Shochu Makers Association and is broadcast from the Japan Sake & Shochu Information Center in Tokyo. Sake on Air was created by Potts K Productions and is produced by Export Japan. Our theme, “Younger Today Than Tomorrow” was composed by forSomethingNew for Sake On Air.

SAKE: The Art and Craft of Japan’s National Drink by Yoshiko UENO-Müller

This week we kick off a brand-new mini-series in which we go back to the basics and focus on questions we all had at the start of our sake journey. Questions that may sound simple but may not be as easy to answer as they seem. Welcome to our “Sake 101’s”!

Our host will take turns answering questions to topics including “What is sake?”, “Understanding premium sake” or “Hot sake vs cold sake”. So if you are new to the world of Japanese sake, these episodes are for you! We also think that if you already have some knowledge of sake you may still find some nugget or two that might surprise you.

In this first episode, Cindy Bissig and Arline Lyons start (where else would they?) at the very beginning: "What is sake?" 

From the term “sake” and what it means, to what sake is, and also what sake is not (!). Of course, they chat about the diversity of the beverage and how it compares to other beverages like wine and beer. Also, you get a chance to learn about some common misconceptions. They talk about what sake tastes like at the end.

As always, if you have questions or comments please do share them with us at questions@sakeonair.com or head over to our Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook we would love to hear from you!

We’ll be back very soon with plenty more Sake On Air.

Until then, kampai!

Sake On Air is made possible with the generous support of the Japan Sake & Shochu Makers Association and is broadcast from the Japan Sake & Shochu Information Center in Tokyo. Sake on Air was created by Potts K Productions and is produced by Export Japan. Our theme, “Younger Today Than Tomorrow” was composed by forSomethingNew for Sake On Air.

Sake 101 – What is Sake?

This is the second episode our “Sake 101” mini-series! In our first episode we covered the most basic question “What is Sake?” and we hoped that this would help people new to the beverage get a basic understanding of what sake is, what it is not and also give a few hints on how sake tastes and of course how it is made.

So, in this episode, we continue our journey into the world of sake, diving deeper into the fascinating process of how it’s made. Once again, the wonderful Arline Lyons joins Cindy Bissig to talk about the sake-making process, but also give you an idea of what sake breweries are actually like. They touch on the brewery life cycle, which is very different from what you might expect, especially compared to other beverages like beer or wine. Before taking you step by step through the brewing process and finally, take a look at how sake brewing has evolved over time and how some of these traditional methods are making a comeback today.

As always, if you have questions or comments please do share them with us at questions@sakeonair.com or head over to our Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook we would love to hear from you!

We’ll be back very soon with plenty more Sake On Air.

Until then, kampai!Sake On Air is made possible with the generous support of the Japan Sake & Shochu Makers Association and is broadcast from the Japan Sake & Shochu Information Center in Tokyo. Sake on Air was created by Potts K Productions and is produced by Export Japan. Our theme, “Younger Today Than Tomorrow” was composed by forSomethingNew for Sake On Air.

Sake 101 – How is Sake Made?

There is a lot of great sake out there, but how do you know what is “good” and what is not? There is no easy answer to that, because the answer is almost always, “it is personal”.

However, you may have heard the term “Premium Sake”, which suggests that it is the good stuff. Which of course it is, but so is much of the sake that doesn't have that on the label. So what does "Premium Sake" actually mean? And if it doesn't mean the best sake to drink, what is it used for?

In this episode, Sebastien Lemoine and Cindy Bissig talk about exactly that! Starting by looking at the term itself and its origin in Japanese, which comes from the term Tokutei-meisho-shu. Tokutei-meisho-shu is a Japanese expression that literally translates to "Specially Designated Sake" and is is a legal classification where ingredients and production methods play the main role, not flavor or quality. 

Sebastien explains the categories that make up Tokutei-meisho-shu or "Premium Sake." It is the basic knowledge needed to understand the different grades and how they might affect taste. Knowing this system will also greatly help you when you are selecting sake, even if they do not describe a sakes flavor profile, they do get you in the right direction to find a bottle of sake you may enjoy.

As always, if you have questions or comments please do share them with us at questions@sakeonair.com or head over to our Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook we would love to hear from you!

We’ll be back very soon with plenty more Sake On Air.

Until then, kampai!

Sake On Air is made possible with the generous support of the Japan Sake & Shochu Makers Association and is broadcast from the Japan Sake & Shochu Information Center in Tokyo. Sake on Air was created by Potts K Productions and is produced by Export Japan. Our theme, “Younger Today Than Tomorrow” was composed by forSomethingNew for Sake On Air.

Sake 101 – What is Premium Sake?

We are continuing our Sake 101 series with a dive into sake pairing. Cindy Bissig sits down with Chris Hughes to discuss why sake is one of the best beverages to pair with food. They examine just how versatile and exciting sake can be, and spoiler alert - Sake does not just pair wonderfully with Japanese food, it also has the power to transform dishes from all around the world.

Chris explains how sake isn’t just to be paired with sushi (!) it can enhance flavors across a wide range of global dishes and can really be a game-changer at the dinner table. From umami-rich pairings to surprising combinations with Western and international foods, they uncover what makes sake such a fantastic choice at the dining table.

Chris also shares his top tips and tricks for achieving the perfect food and sake pairing and he talks about some of his most memorable pairing experiences.

If you have discovered an amazing sake and food pairing we’d love to hear about it! Share your favorites with us on Instagram or Facebook and join the conversation !

As always, if you have questions or comments please do share them with us at questions@sakeonair.com or head over to our Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook we would love to hear from you!

We’ll be back very soon with plenty more Sake On Air.

Until then, kampai!Sake On Air is made possible with the generous support of the Japan Sake & Shochu Makers Association and is broadcast from the Japan Sake & Shochu Information Center in Tokyo. Sake on Air was created by Potts K Productions and is produced by Export Japan. Our theme, “Younger Today Than Tomorrow” was composed by forSomethingNew for Sake On Air.

Sake 101 – The Art of Pairing Sake

As our Sake 101 miniseries continues, we’re diving into one of the most debated topics in the world of sake: hot vs. cold sake! 

Beyond just personal preference, the temperature at which sake is served can completely transform its flavor, aroma, and overall experience. But with so much conflicting information out there, it’s easy to get confused and then there is the old myth that only bad sake is served hot—is there any truth to that?

Join our hosts for this episode Cindy Bissig and Chris Hughes as they break it all down, exploring why some sakes are meant to be served warm while others are best enjoyed chilled. 

So whether you’re a fan of warm sake on a chilly evening or love sipping a crisp, cold glass in the summer, understanding the role of temperature can take your sake appreciation to the next level.

If you have a favorite way to enjoy warm or cold sake, we’d love to hear about it and if you have questions or comments share them with us at questions@sakeonair.com or head over to our Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook we would love to hear from you!

We’ll be back very soon with plenty more Sake On Air.

Until then, kampai!

Sake On Air is made possible with the generous support of the Japan Sake & Shochu Makers Association and is broadcast from the Japan Sake & Shochu Information Center in Tokyo. Sake on Air was created by Potts K Productions and is produced by Export Japan. Our theme, “Younger Today Than Tomorrow” was composed by forSomethingNew for Sake On Air.

Sake 101 – Hot vs. Cold Sake: The Great Debate!

For the final episode of our Sake 101 mini-series we dive into the 2,000 years of history of sake. Cindy Bissig and Chris Hughes explore the evolution of sake, not just as a beverage, but as a key part of Japanese culture. This is the perfect way to wrap up the season with a look at how sake became what it is today.

Sake is deeply woven into Japan’s history, and sake history is really Japanese history. It is hard to pack centuries of events into a 30 minute episode, so this episode is a distilled version of the history of sake. We'll be making deep dives into the history of sake later this year. This episode is intended to be a great starting point for sake beginners and an insightful listen for those who already know a thing or two.

We hope you have enjoyed our Sake 101 series, and that you will stick around for more Sake on Air! If this is your first time tuning in, don’t forget to check out our previous episodes covering more sake basics like temperature, tasting tips, and food pairings!

In other news, we have a newsletter! Subscribe here: https://sakeonair.substack.com/

If you have questions or comments share them with us at questions@sakeonair.com or head over to our Instagram, Facebook, or Substack as we would love to hear from you!

We’ll be back very soon with plenty more Sake On Air.

Until then, kampai!

Sake On Air is made possible with the generous support of the Japan Sake & Shochu Makers Association and is broadcast from the Japan Sake & Shochu Information Center in Tokyo. Sake on Air was created by Potts K Productions and is produced by Export Japan. Our theme, “Younger Today Than Tomorrow” was composed by forSomethingNew for Sake On Air.

Sake 101 – A Short History of Sake

Hold your breath, Osaka—there’s a new sake bar in town!

After much anticipation, Julian Houseman has taken the leap and opened Sake House in Osaka!

For those unfamiliar with Julian, he is a long-time friend of the Sake On Air team - a voice behind the scenes, a sake industry journalist, and a brilliant musician among his many other talents. Now, he’s bringing his passion for sake to life with his very own venue, creating a space where sake lovers can gather, explore, and enjoy the incredible world of Japan’s iconic beverage in a small intimate setting just a stone's throw away from Umeda Station.

In this week’s episode, John Gauntner and Cindy Bissig sit down with Julian to talk about Sake House. From the logistics of opening a sake bar to the passion that drives it, they dive into what it’s like to stock the fridges, line up the glasses, turn on the music, and finally open the doors to the public.

Of course, if you’re visiting Osaka, we highly recommend stopping by Sake House - not only for its stellar selection of sake but also for Julian’s expert guidance in helping you find the perfect pour. Whether you're a seasoned sake enthusiast or just discovering it for the first time, Julien is there to navigate you through the experience.

Join us as we celebrate this exciting new addition to Osaka’s sake scene!

In other news, we have a newsletter! Subscribe here: https://sakeonair.substack.com/

If you have questions or comments share them with us at questions@sakeonair.com or head over to our Instagram, Facebook, or Substack as we would love to hear from you!

We’ll be back very soon with plenty more Sake On Air.

Until then, kampai!

Sake On Air is made possible with the generous support of the Japan Sake & Shochu Makers Association and is broadcast from the Japan Sake & Shochu Information Center in Tokyo. Sake on Air was created by Potts K Productions and is produced by Export Japan. Our theme, “Younger Today Than Tomorrow” was composed by forSomethingNew for Sake On Air.

Talking with the Houseman of Sake House: Julian Houseman

Summer in Japan is hot! Too hot some might say. To help beat the heat, nihonshu producers sell a variety of sake called natsuzake or “summer sake.” But what is natsuzake really? It has no legal definition and no established taste or serving guidelines.

Miho Ohta and John Gauntner have a conversation about the recent trends in natsuzake until Frank Walter joins the fray to talk about natsuzake flavors and the trend towards sour flavors and low alcohol in sake.

While the jury is still out on whether natsuzake will become a consistent kind of sake, the answer is clear that sake is totally a summer drink, even (according to Miho) when warmed.

Tell us your thoughts and feelings about natsuzake at @sakeonair on Instagram and Facebook, or send us a message with your thoughts and experiences to questions@sakeonair.com. 

We’ll be back with more Sake On Air before you know it.

Until then, kampai!

This episode has been made possible with the generous support of the Japan Sake & Shochu Makers Association. Sake on Air was created by Potts-K Productions and is produced by Export Japan. Our team is Justin Potts, Miho Ota, Cindy Bissig, Sebastien Lemoine, John Gauntner, Chris Hughes, Rebekah Wilson-Lye, Marie Nagata, Christopher Pelegrini, Arline Lyons, Shuso Imada, and Frank Walter. Our theme, “Younger Today Than Tomorrow” was composed by forSomethingNew for Sake On Air.

Natsuzake Revisited

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