Japanese New Year (Shogatsu): Ringing in the New Year with Tradition and Joy

Shogatsu, the Japanese New Year, is a celebration of renewal, hope, and togetherness. Rooted in rich traditions, it’s a time to reflect, set intentions, and enjoy iconic customs.

At Tengu Sake, we’re here to help you bring the spirit of shogatsu into your home with festive dishes and sake traditions. Here’s how to celebrate in style!

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UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Sake-making listed!

As soon as Japanese sake-making techniques (NB – sake in this context means the literal meaning of “all alcohol”) was granted UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status I wanted to get something up on our website to provide some clarity. Lots of articles in the press are claiming sake itself has been granted status by UNESCO; the clue is in the name of the award, though: Intangible Cultural Heritage. So it’s the techniques and skills, honed over many years, that have been given this award.

Here, Tengu Sake’s Sales Executive, Gabriel Lei, provides a thorough assessment of what it means for sake to have UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status:

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Enjoying Shochu: Ways to Savour Your Spirit

Serving and Enjoying Shochu

How should enjoy your bottle of shochu when you’ve bought a bottle from us? We are here to give you some ideas! (If you haven’t yet please check out our Spirits Shop).

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Sake Times Article on Noguchi-Toji

In this article from April 2022 SAKETIMES speaks to veteran brewmaster, Noguchi Naohiko, about his sake philosophy and his rise to the top of brewing.

The article is full of great insight and quotes from the man himself, including:

Tengu Sake lists a good number of Noguchi-Toji’s sakes, you can find further information on this fabulous brewery on the brewery’s page, and discover all the sakes in our shop.

Sugidama Blog Interview: “How to drink sake like a pro”

I sat down (virtually!) with Alex, from Sugidama Blog, and I talked about sake basics and some of my tips for those just getting into sake. Including:

• How to choose sake
• What temperature to drink sake
• What cups/vessels you can enjoy sake from
• Types of sake
• Much more…

Give it a listen (no subscription necessary) and see if you learn anything new!

Listen Now

In the podcast I recommend Tatenokawa Phoenix – find this sake in our online store.

Tonight’s Online Tutorial: Sake Basics

Wednesday 18th November – Sake Basics

It’s been a while since I did an absolute basics for sake so, if you’re new to sake and just want to find out more then this is the session for you! You don’t even need to order any sake for this one, just tune in and find out about sake. To join in just click on the Zoom link below on 18th at 7pm!

ABSOLUTELY FREE

Zoom Meeting Details

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83397457797?pwd=M1NFSUI4NVZYbXZWUVNNY0x2R0xLZz09

Meeting ID: 833 9745 7797
Passcode: 395819

If you don’t have Zoom then please click the link well in advance and download!

IWC Sake Merchant of the Year 2018

Amazing – we did it again!!! Tengu Sake has been awarded IWC Specialist Sake Merchant of the Year 2018!

That’s three year’s running. What an achievement and I’m so proud that all the hard work Tengu Sake has been doing over the years is being recognised. Thank you to everyone: our customers and friends, without you this would not have been possible.

Tengu Sake still adheres to it’s principle tenets:

• Quality products
• Reasonable prices
• Excellent customer service
• Unparalleled communication and interpretation of products

Here’s to another year of slingin’ quality sake!

Tatenokawa “Zenith” Komyo Dewasansan

This year marks a world first – the first sake ever to be polished down to a mere 1% – Tatenokawa “Zenith” Komyo Dewsansan

It is difficult to overplay the level of technical complexity and, thus, achievement associated with this astonishing accomplishment. Tatenokawa are well known for pushing the boundaries of what is achievable with highly polished rice. They had already produced an 8% polished and a 7% polished sake but, 1% is a whole different level.

When the 1% was announced, I took the opportunity to ask both Jumpei Sato, Tatenokawa’s CEO & Head Brewer, and Takeshi Sato (no relation), Tatenokawa’s number 2 a number of questions. (more…)

Is sake gluten free?

I was recently asked is sake gluten free or not (some of you may have noticed that on some of our bottles gluten is indeed listed as an allergen). The answer, in a word, is complicated.

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Sake Myths

There are a lot of sake myths and mis-information out there so here are a few facts we hope will clear things up!

• There are tens of thousands of sakes produced in Japan. They all have very different characteristics so if you’ve tried one and didn’t like it then the chances are you might find another one that you do like!
• Sake is not a spirit!  It is a brewed beverage like a beer.
• Most sake is 15-16% alcohol, only marginally stronger than wine.
• You can drink sake however you wish but it was designed to be sipped and savoured like a wine.
• Sake does not have to be drunk hot! The Japanese actually have nine different temperatures at which sake can be enjoyed, starting at 0°C all the way up to 55°C+. Different sake suit different temperatures. See our page on sake & temperature.
• There are only four main ingredients: rice, koji, yeast & water.  It is rarely fortified.
• There is usually no vintage; sake is designed to be drunk within 1-2 years of bottling (although there are some aged sake called koshu).
• Sake has a mild taste with light acidity, bitterness or astringency. No more heart burn!
• Finally, it is free from sulphites & other preservatives; instead, it’s pasteurised. No more fiendish hangover!

In summary the rough, boiling-hot gut-rot of yore is no more! Instead, as interest has grown and technology (both manufacturing and transportation) has improved, the quality of sake available in the UK has improved immeasurably.

We hope that has cleared up some of the sake myths and encouraged you to give it a go!  Pop on over to our shop to see what you can find.