In the final episode of Season 2, I am talking to Andy Travers, the founder of London Sake, an online sake shop, and Sugidama Podcast's sponsor. We covered quite a lot of topics from the London Sake story, to the Olympics, bottle labels and managed to taste and discussed three excellent sake during our conversation. London Sake is an excellent online sake store and has one of the widest premium and craft sake selections available online today. They deliver across the UK and Europe, and with over 100 sake from 25 breweries, there really is something for everyone.Using simple online tasting notes and sensible, affordable food pairings they help you find the perfect sake without any of the fuss. Listeners of the podcast can get a 10% discount Listen to the episode to get the magical code! London Sake: making sake simple.Episode's Content:Andy's sake journeyLondon Sake storyDassai 45Nanbu Bijin Tokubetsu JunmaiSake bottle labelsWill the Tokyo Olympics boost sake sales outside Japan?London Sake customersShirakabegura Junmai DaiginjoThe art of selecting sakeLooking aheadSake of the episode: Shichiken Junmai DaiginjoKampai!Sake mentioned:Dassai 45 Junmai DaiginjoAsahi ShuzoLondon SakeNanbu Bijin Tokubetsu JunmaiNanbu Bijin BreweryLondon SakeShirakabegura Junmai DaiginjoShirakabegura BreweryLondon SakeShichiken Junmai DaiginjoShichiken  Sake BreweryLondon SakeSugidama Podcast on Podchaser - please review if you don't use Apple PodcastsMusic used:Wirklich Wichtig (CB 27) by Checkie Brown https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Checkie_Brown_1005/hey/Wirklich_Wichtig_CB_27Just Arround the World (Kielokaz ID 362) by KieLoKaz https://freemusicarchive.org/music/KieLoKaz/Free_Ganymed/Just_Arround_the_World_Kielokaz_ID_362Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/Vocal: Svetlana

The fourth episode in the short Sake Focus series is about ginjo, premium and super-premium sake made from highly polished rice. The name comes from two Chinese characters and could be translated as "crafted or carefully brewing".  But there's much more in ginjo than just a high milling ratio.Don't forget, Sugidama Podcast now has a sponsor, London Sake, an excellent online sake store. London Sake has one of the widest selections of premium and craft sake available online today. They deliver across the UK and Europe, and with over 100 sake from 25 breweries, there really is something for everyone.Using simple online tasting notes and sensible, affordable food pairings they help you find the perfect sake without any of the fuss. Listeners of the podcast can get a 10% discount Listen to the episode to get the magical code! London Sake: making sake simple.Episode's Content:What is ginjo and its historyHow ginjo sake brewing is different from less polished sakeSkills, process, and ingredientsGrades and types of ginjo sakeWhen ginjo is not ginjo but tokubetsuHow to drink ginjo: temperature, food etc.Sake of the episode: Kanpai London Kaze Junmai GinjoKampai!Sake mentioned:Kanpai London Kaze Junmai GinjoKanpai London Sake BrewerySuper-flat Rice PolishingSugidama Blog: 5 Sake to drink in Summer 2021Sugidama Podcast on Podchaser - please review if you don't use Apple PodcastsMusic used:Wirklich Wichtig (CB 27) by Checkie Brown https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Checkie_Brown_1005/hey/Wirklich_Wichtig_CB_27Just Arround the World (Kielokaz ID 362) by KieLoKaz https://freemusicarchive.org/music/KieLoKaz/Free_Ganymed/Just_Arround_the_World_Kielokaz_ID_362Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/Vocal: Svetlana

The third episode in the short Sake Focus series is about namazake, unpasteurised sake which is known for its unruly wild and lively character. Nama can be translated from Japanese as live, raw, fresh, or even natural. And it's all true about namazake. Listen to the episode to find out about different types of namazake including famous autumn sake called hiyaoroshi. Don't forget, Sugidama Podcast now has a sponsor, London Sake, an excellent online sake store. London Sake has one of the widest selections of premium and craft sake available online today. They deliver across the UK and Europe, and with over 100 sake from 25 breweries, there really is something for everyone.Using simple online tasting notes and sensible, affordable food pairings they help you find the perfect sake without any of the fuss. Listeners of the podcast can get a 10% discount Listen to the episode to get the magical code! London Sake: making sake simple.Episode's Content:What is namazakeTypes of namazake: namazake, namachozo, namazumeAutumn sake: Hiyaoroshi and Aki-AgariOther types of nama and not: Shiboritate, Kassei Seishu, ShinshuNama Genshu and Nama Genshu MurokaNamazake Character: aroma, taste, food pairingNamazake storage, how to buySake of the episode: Kikusui Funaguchi Nama Genshu HonjozoKampai!Sake mentioned:Kikusui Funaguchi Nama Genshu HonjozoKikusui Sake BreweryLondon SakeSugidama Blog: One cup to rule them all: 5 single-serving sake to trySugidama Podcast on Podchaser - please review if you don't use Apple PodcastsMusic used:Wirklich Wichtig (CB 27) by Checkie Brown https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Checkie_Brown_1005/hey/Wirklich_Wichtig_CB_27Just Arround the World (Kielokaz ID 362) by KieLoKaz https://freemusicarchive.org/music/KieLoKaz/Free_Ganymed/Just_Arround_the_World_Kielokaz_ID_362Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/Vocal: Svetlana

The second episode in the short Sake Focus series is about nigori, which takes its origin from the ancient sacred drink called doburoku. Doburoku is the oldest method of sake brewing which survived more than a thousand years of history and is still around nowadays. Nigori is cloudy sake, where rice and yeast particles from fermentation left in the final product. Sometimes it’s called unfiltered sake, but it’s not correct. Listen to the episode to find out why. Don't forget, Sugidama Podcast now has a sponsor, London Sake, an excellent online sake store. London Sake has one of the widest selections of premium and craft sake available online today. They deliver across the UK and Europe, and with over 100 sake from 25 breweries, there really is something for everyone.Using simple online tasting notes and sensible, affordable food pairings they help you find the perfect sake without any of the fuss. Listeners of the podcast can get a 10% discount Listen to the episode to get the magical code! London Sake: making sake simple.Episode's Content:What is nigoriDoburoku: the origin of nigorizakeThe emergence of seishuReturn of nigoriTypes of nigoriNigori: taste and food pairingSake of the episode: Kamoizumi Summer Snow GinjoKampai!Sake mentioned:Kamoizumi Summer Snow GinjoKamoizumi Sake Brewery (no product information available)SorakamiSugidama Podcast on Podchaser - please review if you don't use Apple PodcastsMusic used:Wirklich Wichtig (CB 27) by Checkie Brown https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Checkie_Brown_1005/hey/Wirklich_Wichtig_CB_27Just Arround the World (Kielokaz ID 362) by KieLoKaz https://freemusicarchive.org/music/KieLoKaz/Free_Ganymed/Just_Arround_the_World_Kielokaz_ID_362Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/Vocal: Svetlana

Recently, I have spoken to one of my listeners, who praised this podcast for its wonderful content. “But you know”, he said. “Sake is a completely new thing for me and I feel a bit overwhelmed with the amount of information you put in each episode. Why don’t you make them a bit easier to digest?” And he’s absolutely right. So I decided to do a series of episodes focusing on one particular topic, I have mentioned before. And this time it's junmai/honjozo.Don't forget, Sugidama Podcast now has a sponsor, London Sake, an excellent online sake store. London Sake has one of the widest selections of premium and craft sake available online today. They deliver across the UK and Europe, and with over 100 sake from 25 breweries, there really is something for everyone.Using simple online tasting notes and sensible, affordable food pairings they help you find the perfect sake without any of the fuss. Listeners of the podcast can get a 10% discount Listen to the episode to get the magical code! London Sake: making sake simple.Episode's Content:What is junmaiHistory of adding alcohol to sakeJunmai is backHow to drink junmai (aroma, taste & food pairing)How to drink honjozo (aroma, taste & food pairing)Is junmai better than non-junmai?Sake of the episode Double bill: Urakasumi Honjozo and Urakasumi JunmaiKampai!Sake mentioned:Urakasumi Honjikomi HonjozoUrakasumi Sake BreweryLondon SakeUrakasumi Misty Bay JunmaiUrakasumi Sake BreweryLondon SakeMusic used:Wirklich Wichtig (CB 27) by Checkie Brown https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Checkie_Brown_1005/hey/Wirklich_Wichtig_CB_27Just Arround the World (Kielokaz ID 362) by KieLoKaz https://freemusicarchive.org/music/KieLoKaz/Free_Ganymed/Just_Arround_the_World_Kielokaz_ID_362Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/Vocal: Svetlana

The conclusion of the Sake Ingredients mini-series with an interview with Andrew Russell about sake yeast, which he calls an unsung hero of sake brewing. Andrew moved to Japan from Scotland to pursue his interest in what he described as “a fascinating and multifaceted country” and fulfil his dream of becoming a sake brewer. He started working as kurabito, a sake brewery worker, first at a small brewery on the outskirts of Okayama prefecture and then at iconic Imada Shuzo, a sake brewery located in Hitroshima prefecture.Imada Shuzo is famous not only for its amazing sake Imada Fukucho, but also for its toji, Miho Imada, who has been recently named one of the 100 most influential women by BBC.Don't forget, Sugidama Podcast now has a sponsor, London Sake, an excellent online sake store. London Sake has one of the widest selections of premium and craft sake available online today. They deliver across the UK and Europe, and with over 100 sake from 25 breweries, there really is something for everyone.Using simple online tasting notes and sensible, affordable food pairings they help you find the perfect sake without any of the fuss. Listeners of the podcast can get a 10% discount Listen to the episode to get the magical code! London Sake: making sake simple.Episode's Content:Andrew Russell: introduction and 3 memorable sakeKurabito's LifeRole of sake yeast in sake brewingIs sake yeast different from other yeasts?History of sake yeastHow yeast affects sakePopular and interesting sake yeastsFoamless yeastFuture development of sake yeastSake of the episode: Tamagawa 'Red Label' Yamahai Genshu JunmaiKampai!Sake mentioned:Tamagawa 'Red Label' Yamahai Genshu JunmaiKinoshita Sake BreweryLondon SakeAndrew RussellOrigin SakeImada Shuzo HontenImada Sake BreweryMiho ImadaMusic used:Wirklich Wichtig (CB 27) by Checkie Brown https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Checkie_Brown_1005/hey/Wirklich_Wichtig_CB_27Just Arround the World (Kielokaz ID 362) by KieLoKaz https://freemusicarchive.org/music/KieLoKaz/Free_Ganymed/Just_Arround_the_World_Kielokaz_ID_362Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/Vocal: Svetlana

On a nice April morning, I've got a call from Rie Yoshitake, whom I know from numerous sake events.  "Alex, would you like to be a sake judge at IWC", she asked out of the blue. "Yes!", I replied without any hesitation. It was my dream for the last couple of years and now it's been fulfilled! Yay!In this episode, I am talking about the IWC (International Wine Challenge), how the judging happens, my personal experience and my takeaways from three days of intensive judging.  Don't forget, Sugidama Podcast now has a sponsor, London Sake, an excellent online sake store. London Sake has one of the widest selections of premium and craft sake available online today. They deliver across the UK and Europe, and with over 100 sake from 25 breweries, there really is something for everyone.Using simple online tasting notes and sensible, affordable food pairings they help you find the perfect sake without any of the fuss. Listeners of the podcast can get a 10% discount Listen to the episode to get the magical code! London Sake: making sake simple.Episode's Content:What is IWC (International Wine Challenge)How I got into IWC judgingWhat is the IWC judging processMy personal judging experienceWhat I learnt during the IWC SakeMy sake discoveriesA little Q&ASake of the episode: Suigei Junmai Ginjo GinreiKampai!Sake mentioned:Suigei Junmai Ginjo GinreiSuigei Sake BreweryLondon SakeMusic used:Wirklich Wichtig (CB 27) by Checkie Brown https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Checkie_Brown_1005/hey/Wirklich_Wichtig_CB_27Just Arround the World (Kielokaz ID 362) by KieLoKaz https://freemusicarchive.org/music/KieLoKaz/Free_Ganymed/Just_Arround_the_World_Kielokaz_ID_362Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/Vocal: Svetlana

A great interview about sake, cooking, mirin and other things with Kinu Yukawa. She is a Japanese chef and cookery teacher from Kobe, Japan, currently based in London. She ventured into the world of food early in life and fostered the basics of cooking from her grandmother. Later she trained in French cuisine at Ecole Ritz Escoffier Paris and traditional Japanese cuisine in Kyoto.Don't forget, Sugidama Podcast now has a sponsor, London Sake, an excellent online sake store. London Sake has one of the widest selections of premium and craft sake available online today. They deliver across the UK and Europe, and with over 100 sake from 25 breweries, there really is something for everyone.Using simple online tasting notes and sensible, affordable food pairings they help you find the perfect sake without any of the fuss. Listeners of the podcast can get a 10% discount Listen to the episode to get the magical code! London Sake: making sake simple.Episode's Content:Kinu Yukawa: introduction and the sake connectionSake in Japanese cookingIrisakeCooking vs Normal SakeMirinSake and food pairingSake of the episode: Kasumitsuru Kimoto JunmaiKampai!Sake mentioned:Kasumitsuru Kimoto JunmaiKasumitsuru Sake BreweryLondon SakeKinu YukawaDeliciously JapaneseMusic used:Wirklich Wichtig (CB 27) by Checkie Brown https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Checkie_Brown_1005/hey/Wirklich_Wichtig_CB_27Just Arround the World (Kielokaz ID 362) by KieLoKaz https://freemusicarchive.org/music/KieLoKaz/Free_Ganymed/Just_Arround_the_World_Kielokaz_ID_362Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/Vocal: Svetlana

Koji is a magical ingredient of sake. A tiny microorganism that turns starch into sugar and makes it possible to make this beautiful drink. It's a national benevolent mould of Japan, which appeared in the country more than a thousand years ago and responsible for a large part of Japanese cuisine.And to talk about koji I invited Akemi Yokoyama, who is a chef, cookery teacher, specialising in Japanese cuisine and a koji specialist, who knows so much about this beautiful creature, which she compared to a baby sea lion in this incredible interview! Don't forget, Sugidama Podcast now has a sponsor, London Sake, an excellent online sake store. London Sake has one of the widest selections of premium and craft sake available online today. They deliver across the UK and Europe, and with over 100 sake from 25 breweries, there really is something for everyone.Using simple online tasting notes and sensible, affordable food pairings they help you find the perfect sake without any of the fuss. Listeners of the podcast can get a 10% discount Listen to the episode to get the magical code! London Sake: making sake simple.Episode's Content:Akemi Yokoyama: introduction and the sake connectionWhat is koji: history and the importance in Japanese cuisineThe role of koji in sake making: types of koji, how it used and how koji affects sake tasteWhat is amazake and how to make itKoji and breadmakingWHy koji is so fascinating and where to learn more about itSake of the episode: Kuzuryu Daiginjo ‘Silk Dragon’Kampai!Sake mentioned:Kuzuryu Daiginjo ‘Silk Dragon’Kokuryu Sake BreweryNatural Natural Online StoreAkemi YokoyamaGohanBooks about kojiKoji for Life (Gohan website) The Noma Guide to Fermentation (Amazon UK)Koji Alchemy (Amazon UK)Music used:Wirklich Wichtig (CB 27) by Checkie Brown https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Checkie_Brown_1005/hey/Wirklich_Wichtig_CB_27Just Arround the World (Kielokaz ID 362) by KieLoKaz https://freemusicarchive.org/music/KieLoKaz/Free_Ganymed/Just_Arround_the_World_Kielokaz_ID_362Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/Vocal: Svetlana

Rice is the essence of sake. It’s the source of alcohol and it gives sake its flavour, aroma, texture and character. It’s like grape to wine but slightly different. But rice is not the most suitable ingredient for an alcoholic beverage for one obvious reason: it does not have much sugar. But people found a way to turn starch which dominates the rice grain into sugar using koji and to make beautiful sake.In this episode, I am talking about the role of rice in sake making, how sake rice is different from table rice, sake rice varieties including Omachi, Yamada Nishiki, Gohyakumangoku, Miyama Nishiki and some others as well as what is red rice and why organic sake is rare.Don't forget, Sugidama Podcast now has a sponsor, London Sake, an excellent online sake store. London Sake has one of the widest selections of premium and craft sake available online today. They deliver across the UK and Europe, and with over 100 sake from 25 breweries, there really is something for everyone.Using simple online tasting notes and sensible, affordable food pairings they help you find the perfect sake without any of the fuss. Listeners of the podcast can get a 10% discount Listen to the episode to get the magical code! London Sake: making sake simple.Episode's Content:Rice: the essence of sakeThe classification of rice varietiesTable rice vs. sake riceSake rice varietiesRed rice and Organic riceSake of the episode: Fukukomachi “Evening Sky” Junmai KarakuchiKampai!Sake mentioned:Fukukomachi “Evening Sky” Junmai KarakuchiKimura ShuzoTengu SakeOrigin SakeOmachi-mai: The Phantom Sake RiceMusic used:Wirklich Wichtig (CB 27) by Checkie Brown https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Checkie_Brown_1005/hey/Wirklich_Wichtig_CB_27Just Arround the World (Kielokaz ID 362) by KieLoKaz https://freemusicarchive.org/music/KieLoKaz/Free_Ganymed/Just_Arround_the_World_Kielokaz_ID_362Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/Vocal: Svetlana