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SWEET
SAKÉ
 Amazake
(sweet saké) is a non-alcoholic cultured rice product which
closely resembles yogurt. It has a sweet, full-bodied flavor that
is popular among adults as well as children and has been enjoyed
in Japan since ancient times.
Amazake is made from rice and koji (rice culture) which is also
a critical ingredient in making soy sauce, tamari, miso as well
as saké. Koji is added to steamed sweet rice or mochi-gome
then allowed to ferment from between 8-20 hours. Amazake is low
in fat, high in fiber and very nutritious containing complex carbohydrates,
B vitamins and niacin. It is extremely good for the digestion
and has traditionally been used in Japan to treat a variety of
digestive ailments in both children and adults.
Amazake
is served at a number of festivals and special occasions throughout
Japan beginning with New Year's Day morning when it is enjoyed
by the whole family. Each March the Tojuku-ji Temple in Kyoto
displays a famous Buddhist scroll commemorating Buddha's passing
and serves amazake to those in attendance. In Saitama Prefecture
just outside of Tokyo there is a festival dedicated entirely to
amazake. The Amazake Matsuri of Umemiya Shrine is held on February
11th and features traditional Japanese Noh performances, taiko
drumming and a street festival where vendors sell everything from
desserts sweetened with amazake to hot amazake tea. This tea is
made by combining equal parts of amazake and water, heating it
to a simmer then serving it with a ground ginger garnish. For
hundreds of years, amazake tea has been sold by street vendors
particularly during the winter months and today is still a popular
drink at teahouses and Japanese inns.
Amazake
is commonly available in the cold-foods section of most health
food stores as well as a selection of some new products such as
amazake puddings, cakes and shakes. Still it's a lot more fun
to make up some of your own.
Here's a suggestion:
BANANAMAZAKE SMOOTHIE©
1 cup amazake*
1 cup apple juice
1 ripe banana
5 ice cubes
Blend the first 3 ingredients in the blender until smooth
Add 1 ice cube at a time and blend until the desired consistency
is achieved
*Read the ingredients to make sure no alcohol
has been added
© K. Banks 2002
 
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