Sake Deep Dive

Sake Deep Dive
  • 5.0 (8)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED MONTHLY
Sake Deep Dive

A sake podcast for the beyond beginner! Sake brewer Andrew Russell and sake writer/translator Jim Rion dive deep into the history and culture around Japan's national drink to bring context and insight, for when an introduction just won't cut it. Join us every month for a tokkuri full of unfiltered sake knowledge! Our theme song is from: Lotus Lane by The Loyalist - Preconceived Notions https://soundcloud.com/preconceived-n... Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/lotus-lane Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/1YVHRMVwwHg

  1. 12/31/2024

    Koji - Sake's (In?) tangible Cultural Heart

    In December, UNESCO recognized “Traditional Sake Making Techniques” as Japan’s latest example of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Andy and Jim have questions, and maybe even a few answers, about what exactly that might mean. The key is, of course, koji and its use in alcoholic fermentation in Japan. Come take a listen as our hosts explore the implications for nihonshu and its future. Vocabulary for this episode: Barakoji バラ麹 - Japan’s particular style of sprinkling Aspergillus oryzae spores over loose rice to make koji. Mochikoji 餅麹 - One Japanese term for the common Chinese style of cake fermentation starter, called sometime jiuqu or qu. Basically, a cake of rice flour or other starch mixed with water and inoculated with various microbes including Apergillus or Rhizopus molds.  　 Recommendations: Andy -  Daigorei from Bajo Shuzo Don’t forget to support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/SakeDeepDive  Also, check out Andy’s new sake tours at: https://www.originsaketours.com/  And buy Jim’s book, Discovering Yamaguchi Sake wherever you order your books (print and ebook available)! Our theme music is from  Lotus Lane by The Loyalist - Preconceived Notions Available at https://soundcloud.com/preconceived-notions Under a  Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/lotus-lane Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/1YVHRMVwwHg

    53 min

  2. 11/30/2024

    Honjozo - A Hidden Sake Hero

    Back after a brief hiatus, Andy and Jim wax lyrical over a truly overlooked, and sadly undersold style of sake: honjozo. A class that has fallen victim to misinformation, you might be surprised to find out that some of the most sought after and valued sake around is, in fact, honjozo. So, fill a tokkuri and sit back as we dig deep on this secret star of the dinner table.  Vocabulary Honjozo - 本醸造 One of the tokuteimeishoshu classifications, a sake that must have rice polished at least to 70% and can contain a small amount of added brewer’s alcohol. Tokuteimeishoshu - 特定名称酒 Special designation sake. The government-designated rules for labelling sake as ginjo, daiginjo, junmai, or honjozo. 　 Recommendations: Andy -  Juyondai Tokubestu Honjozo Honmaru Jim - Ugo no Tsuki Tokubestu Honjozo (See also New Moon) Don’t forget to support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/SakeDeepDive  Also, check out Andy’s new sake tours at: https://www.originsaketours.com/  And buy Jim’s book, Discovering Yamaguchi Sake wherever you order your books (print and ebook available)! Our theme music is from  Lotus Lane by The Loyalist - Preconceived Notions Available at https://soundcloud.com/preconceived-notions Under a  Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/lotus-lane Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/1YVHRMVwwHg

    44 min

  3. 09/30/2024

    Gokyo - Yamaguchi's Soul Sake

    This is Jim’s moment to shine! The almost inevitable moment has come as Andy and Jim talk about a sake brewery close to Jim’s heart: Sakai Shuzo, home of iconic Yamaguchi label Gokyo. Learn about the brewery’s history, philosophy, and the unique ties between it and the local community… And, of course, the delicious sake that comes from them all. Listen along and imagine yourself sipping hiyaoroshi under the maple leaves along the lazy Nishiki River in this hyper-local episode of Sake Deep Dive. Vocabulary Kioke　木桶 - A wooden vessel, in this case a fermentation tank. Usually made of sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) wood. Sotoji 総杜氏 - “Head toji,” a term used for breweries that have more than one facility headed up by a toji. The one toji to lead them all. Nishiki 錦 - Silk brocade, specifically, but often a term used to give a nuance of luxury, excess, or “fanciness.” Sometimes also pronounced “Kin” Obi 帯 - A kimono sash or strip/band of land. Sometimes also “Tai” Kintaikyo 錦帯橋 - The famous five-arched wooden bridge over the Nishiki River. Could be translated “Sash of silk brocade.” 　 Recommendations: Andy - Gokyo Saitonoshizuku Daiginjo Jim - Gokyo Josen Futsushu / Gokyo Kiokezukuri Junmaishu Don’t forget to support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/SakeDeepDive  Also, check out Andy’s new sake tours at: https://www.originsaketours.com/  And buy Jim’s book, Discovering Yamaguchi Sake wherever you order your books (print and ebook available)! Our theme music is from  Lotus Lane by The Loyalist - Preconceived Notions Available at https://soundcloud.com/preconceived-notions Under a  Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/lotus-lane Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/1YVHRMVwwHg

    1 hr

  4. 08/31/2024

    Taru Sake - The Scent of Sugi

    Andy and Jim crack open a barrel of history with this look at a small but cool part of sake culture: tarusake/taruzake. Originally just an accident of logistics, sake stored in sugi wood barrels is now something breweries have to go out of their way to make. Why do they do it? HOW do they do it? Come, listen, and find out. Vocabulary Hadakadaru 裸樽 - a “naked” taru without any wrapping, sometimes with the company logo etc. branded on the side.  Hon’nidaru　本荷樽 - a taru wrapped in a woven straw mat that bears decorations and, sometimes, the official brewery logo/sake information, calling back to when sake was shipped to market in these containers. Also called komadaru 菰樽. Kagami Biraki　鏡開き - a somewhat ceremonial practice, often seen at large public events, where VIPs use wooden hammers to break open the lid of a sake taru. Masu 升 - a box shaped vessel, originally used to measure rice, now sometimes used as a sake drinking vessel. Usually bare wood, but some are lacquered or even made of plastic. Sugi 杉 - Cryptomeria japonica, sometimes mistakenly called “Japanese cedar.” A conifer with aromatic wood. Taru 樽 - a barrel, in this case a wooden one, used to store liquid. 　 Recommendations: Andy - Choryo Tarusake Jim - Kamotsuru Taruzake Don’t forget to support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/SakeDeepDive  Also, check out Andy’s new sake tours at: https://www.originsaketours.com/  And buy Jim’s book, Discovering Yamaguchi Sake wherever you order your books (print and ebook available)! Our theme music is from  Lotus Lane by The Loyalist - Preconceived Notions Available at https://soundcloud.com/preconceived-notions Under a  Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/lotus-lane Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/1YVHRMVwwHg

    47 min

  5. 07/31/2024

    Tanba Toji - Secret Sake Guilds

    Andy and Jim explore the past and present of the first-ever association of sake brewers, the Tanba Toji. From the origins of toji as a title to the value of labor organizations to the industry, listen in to see just how big a role this rather secretive organization has played in the history of sake as a whole. Vocabulary Toji 杜氏 - the head of brewing in the traditional sake brewing system, in charge of a team of brewers and all that happens to the sake. Kashira 頭 - the second in rank in a brewery under the traditional system. Dakidaru だき樽 - a small tank with a handle filled with hot or cold water to adjust moromi temperature. Recommendations: Andy - Kikumasamune Hyakumoku Jim - Kenbishi Kuromatsu Don’t forget to support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/SakeDeepDive  Also, check out Andy’s new sake tours at: https://www.originsaketours.com/  And buy Jim’s book, Discovering Yamaguchi Sake wherever you order your books (print and ebook available)! Our theme music is from  Lotus Lane by The Loyalist - Preconceived Notions Available at https://soundcloud.com/preconceived-notions Under a  Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/lotus-lane Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/1YVHRMVwwHg

    47 min

  6. 06/30/2024

    Okayama - Sunshine Soaked Sake

    Andy and Jim take a little trip up the Seto Inland Sea coast to sunny Okayama Prefecture, a hidden gem of sake in western Japan. A sacred land for Omachists everywhere, what makes the sake here so darn great? Come, listen and find out on Sake Deep Dive! Vocabulary from this episode: Bizen 備前 Bingo　備後 Bicchu　備中 Recommendations: Andy - Fuyu no Tsuki Jim - Momo no Sato Junmai Ginjo Don’t forget to support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/SakeDeepDive  Also, check out Andy’s new sake tours at: https://www.originsaketours.com/  And buy Jim’s book, Discovering Yamaguchi Sake wherever you order your books (print and ebook available)! Our theme music is from  Lotus Lane by The Loyalist - Preconceived Notions Available at https://soundcloud.com/preconceived-notions Under a  Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/lotus-lane Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/1YVHRMVwwHg

    53 min

  7. 05/31/2024

    Kenbishi - A Sake for the Ages

    Andrew and Jim take their first ever deep dive into a single brewery. Kenbishi is about as classic as it gets, and with Andrew’s first-hand experience, the talk gets deep indeed. Come see how this truly historic brand maintains its core flavor through the changing currents of history and fad! Vocabulary from this episode: Dakidaru - A small tank that is filled with hot or cold water to help control temperature in the brewing mash. Kenbishi makes their own out of wood. Futakoji - A style of koji making in which the batch is split into small wooden boxes, called futa, for temperature control.  Don’t forget to support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/SakeDeepDive  Also, check out Andy’s new sake tours at: https://www.originsaketours.com/  And buy Jim’s book, Discovering Yamaguchi Sake wherever you order your books (print and ebook available)! Our theme music is from  Lotus Lane by The Loyalist - Preconceived Notions Available at https://soundcloud.com/preconceived-notions Under a  Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/lotus-lane Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/1YVHRMVwwHg

    56 min

  8. 04/30/2024

    Kijoshu - We Put Sake in Your Sake

    This time, Andy and Jim put on airs and address the noblest of sake styles: kijoshu, a modern brew made to take on the snootiest of events. We discuss everything from the supposed mythical origins of the process to the ethics of trademarking names for shared styles. No Edo period brewing manuals here, just pure seventies funk.  Vocabulary from this episode Engishiki - An ancient record of laws and customs from the noble court dating to around 927 CE. Kijoshu -A style of sake made using finished sake instead of one part of the brewing water in the final brewing stage. Actually a trademarked name. Saijoshikomi - One of several alternate names for sake made in the kijoshu style . Shiori sake - An ancient brewing method in which a batch of sake is “refermented” with a fresh addition of rice and koji. Recommended Sake Andy - Kokuryu Kijoshu  Jim - Nakashimaya Kijoshu Our theme music is from  Lotus Lane by The Loyalist - Preconceived Notions Available at https://soundcloud.com/preconceived-notions Under a  Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/lotus-lane Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/1YVHRMVwwHg

    41 min
See All (37)

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

A sake podcast for the beyond beginner! Sake brewer Andrew Russell and sake writer/translator Jim Rion dive deep into the history and culture around Japan's national drink to bring context and insight, for when an introduction just won't cut it. Join us every month for a tokkuri full of unfiltered sake knowledge! Our theme song is from: Lotus Lane by The Loyalist - Preconceived Notions https://soundcloud.com/preconceived-n... Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/lotus-lane Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/1YVHRMVwwHg

Information

  • Creator
    Sake Deep Dive
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2024
  • Episodes
    37
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Sake Deep Dive
  • Show Website
    Sake Deep Dive

You Might Also Like

  • Sake On Air
    Society & Culture
    Society & Culture

    Updated Biweekly

  • Sake Revolution
    Food
    Food

    Updated Weekly

  • TWTT - (Taste with the Toji)
    Food
    Food

    Updated 10/20/2024

  • Japan Distilled
    Food
    Food

    Updated 15 hr. ago

  • Naturally Sake Radio ~It just made sense~
    Food
    Food

    Updated Weekly

  • Japan Eats!
    Food
    Food

    Updated Monthly

  • GuildSomm Podcast
    Food
    Food

    Updated Monthly

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada