Surprisingly, in Japan, sake isn’t traditionally paired with food. Soju is a clear spirit that originated in Korea. They are highly sought-after alcoholic drinks from Asia that are gradually becoming household wines worldwide. 1) origin (sake= Japan) When in Korea, drinking Soju is a must so it is important to know the top brands in Korea. The ranking itself is not easy to do since most provinces have their own soju brand because back then the Korean government didn’t want excessive competition. More importantly, the alcoholic beverage has been around since 712 A.D. Having discussed the drink features in general, let’s dissect the soju vs sake features: In conclusion, we have to point out that there is no sake vs soju discussion that does not point to their countries of origin. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. With rice distillate making a significant proportion of its content, it comes with a rich taste. That’s the craziest thing I’ve heard. Later, yeast, sugar, and fungus are added to make it liquid. This clear beverage is usually consumed neat. Meanwhile, sake continues to gain popularity, with U.S. sales … The main differences areç As its popularity increases, many people are turning to soju for unwinding and relaxing with their loved ones. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. In Japan, sake is a generalized term referring to any and all alcoholic beverages. While creating this material, on the website measures have been taken, we do not guarantee that all published material on this website is complete, accurate and up-to-date. Let’s dive in and take a look at shochu vs sake. Please note: comment moderation is enabled and may delay your comment. One of the key differences between shochu and sake, and why shochu is logistically an easier product to sell, is aging. Shochu, on the other hand, is often enjoyed with meals, which include seafood, grilled meats, and tapas. Shochu is also most commonly made from sweet potato (imo-jochu), barley (mugi-jochu), or rice (kome-jochu). Sake, which is commonly known as “rice wine,” is a brewed beverage that has been distilled from rice. Today, one can see them in high-end bars, hotels, and homes around the world. 3.When Sake is just made from rice, Soju is made from rice, barley, and sweet potatoes. Junmai means “pure,” and the alcohol content of these sakes comes solely from the fermentation of the rice. You must be at least 21 years old to enter.This site uses cookies. According to Yukari Sakamoto, sommelier, certified shochu advisor, and author of “Food Sake Tokyo,” shochu flavor and quality can vary greatly. The first stage is the conversion of starch to sugar, and the next stage is the conversion from sugar to alcohol. As said earlier, Sake is more related to wine. If alcohol is added to boost ABV, that’s honjozo sake. Sake is made through the fermentation of rice, similar to how beer is made. Soju is the world’s top-selling liquor by volume. VinePair notes that Japanese drinkers tend to use sake as a "palate cleanser," often consumed by itself. The easy answer is that shochu is distilled, like vodka, while sake is brewed, like beer. The average alcohol content of sake is 17%. Puoi modificare le tue preferenze in qualsiasi momento in Le tue impostazioni per la privacy. You’ll often see these numbers on sake menus or on sake bottle labels. VinePair explains that soju can host a variety of flavors and aromas, which vary according to its main ingredient(s). Soju is a clear spirit that originated in Korea. DifferenceBetween.net. Sake is just the Japanese word for Alcohol, all types even western are referred to as ‘sake’ in Japan. I can’t believe this article got the MAIN difference between sake and soju confused! differencebtwn.com is not responsible for the content of any third-party website to which links are present on this website. It was traditionally made with rice but, ever since distilling rice was banned during the Korean War, distillers have used other grains and starches, such as wheat, sweet potatoes, and even tapioca. I can’t speak on behalf of the Japanese if “sake” is just the word for all types of alcohol, but “soju” is literally the name of soju. September 11, 2017 < http://www.differencebetween.net/object/comparisons-of-food-items/difference-between-sake-and-soju/ >. EVERY restaurant in South Korea has makings for SoMek. Soju has a higher alcohol content than Sake. Most of the soju brands are made in South Korea and made from wheat, barley or rice in content. Considering this, the rest of this article is probably wrong…. Sake History of Soju North Korean Soju vs South Korean Soju. #allnatural A key driver in this shochu vs sake shift has been due to the discovery of shochu’s high activation rate for urokinase enzymes, which can reduce the threat of blood clots, thrombosis, and strokes. Cite “Nihonshu” is what the Japanese specifically call what most Americans think of as Sake. As a result of their differing production methods, shochu and sake are quite different in their alcohol content. It’s no secret that Asian spirits are on the rise. But then, it is proper to point out that it is extremely rich in starch, making it the perfect wine for those looking for starch-rich drinks. Sake = aged wine, and soju = vodka. It has a slightly higher alcohol content than sake, averaging about 24%. However, aside from their different countries of origin, alcohol contents, and prevalence, these two clear boozy beverages also feature key contrasts in their production processes, flavors, and serving suggestions. Differencebtwn.com uses cookies to improve your experience. But many appreciate its "clean, neutral taste," similar to vodka, with some "subtle sweetness" that helps soften an underlying "astringency" or "bitterness" (via The Spruce Eats). 2. Korea and Japan produce two other alcoholic beverages that are similar as well. Soju is consumed cold and sake is often warmed. All this and more make this drink a must-try. It was traditionally made with rice but, ever since distilling rice was banned during the Korean War, distillers have used other grains and starches, such as wheat, sweet potatoes, and even tapioca. In the U.S., shochu is all but unknown while sake is mainly paired with sushi and other Japanese cuisine. Soju is often sweeter while sake is dry in comparison. It has a neutral flavor, like vodka, but half the alcohol content — it t… Let’s get this out of the way: Sake is not rice wine. Aside from their different countries of origin and alcohol contents, these two clear beverages also feature key contrasts in their production processes, flavors, and serving suggestions. Soju is most often drunk straight with food, like wine, but is also used in cocktails, like a spirit. Soju is drank at HOFs, restaurants, even in front of convenience stores. Your comment is just as I’ll informed as this article.. All rice grains are polished about 10 percent before they reach a sake brewery. The country of origin for Soju is NOT correct!!!!! Sake, also spelled as saké or saki, is often called rice wine. You can learn more about sake styles here. Just wanted to clear that up. The author states that soju is a Japanese drink. Soju (/ ˈ s oʊ dʒ uː /; from Korean: 소주; 燒酒) is a clear, colorless distilled alcoholic beverage of Korean origin. Soju is mainly a Korean drink that is considered to be just like Vodka or whiskey. • Categorized under Food | Difference Between Sake and Soju. Sake, by contrast, is flavor-rated by its Sake Meter Value, ranking from -15 to +15 on a scale of dryest to sweetest; though normally clear and noncarbonated, there are also cloudy unfiltered varieties, as well as sparkling options (via VinePair). Wait? Both shochu and sake also use koji mold (Aspergillus oryzae) in the fermentation process. lol. When Sake has about 15 to 17 per cent alcohol, Soju has about 15 to 46 per cent of alcohol in it. So, Japan wasn’t Japan yet, and still they can take credit for older nation’s alcohol? © Copyright 2020 differencebtwn.com. It is usually consumed neat, and its alcohol content varies from about 16.8% to 53% alcohol by volume (ABV). By entering, you agree to accept our use of cookies. The word “sake” means “liquor” in Japanese and it is pronounced shu. False articles like this with false facts is a problem. You would be mixing wine with a distilled liquor. To make the drink stand out, soju has a sweet flavor. During this process starch is converted into sugars then it will ferment into alcohol. Noi e i nostri partner memorizzeremo e/o accederemo ai dati sul tuo dispositivo attraverso l'uso di cookie e tecnologie simili, per mostrare annunci e contenuti personalizzati, per la misurazione di annunci e contenuti, per l'analisi dei segmenti di pubblico e per lo sviluppo dei prodotti. Most is about 14-16%. You all are saying they were wrong and that Soju Is Korean and Sake is Japanese.