Does Sake Need To Be Refrigerated? Come along for this and more. Sake is known worldwide as an alcoholic rice drink that has its roots in Japan.
This traditional drink is highly consumed not only in Japan but also globally.
It is made by fermenting brown rice through a meticulous process you too could learn.
So does sake need to be refrigerated? Yes! Refrigeration is the best way to store this rice drink. If you do not store it in proper condition, it will develop a pungent smell that is different from the normal scent.
How To Store Sake
Nobody wants to see their sake go to waste. In one way or the other, you will be looking for a way to preserve it so that it does not go to waste.
There are countless ways to store your sake and whether using the refrigerator is one way, we are about to find out.
Whether open or not, always store your bottle of sake away from sunlight.
Exposure to light and UV vastly affects the flavor and quality of sake in a very short time.
Ensure you keep it in a cool place where the temperature does not fluctuate.
What if I Prefer a Warm Sake?
If you prefer warm sake, you can warm it up using a double-heating vessel.
To avoid losing its quality, never boil it. If you want warm sake, especially during winter, slightly warm it indirectly using two containers.
One person gets hold of the sake and the other boils water around it till it gets warm enough.
Can I Store Sake in The Refrigerator?
Store it in a refrigerator at 40°F and make sure it is sealed tightly. Also, keep it away from foods with strong scents.
This is because it has the tendency of absorbing the smell of stronger aromatic ingredients around it.
It is advisable to serve sake in traditional sake sets because the containers are made of excellent quality ceramics that keep the drink chilled for longer times.
Should You Be Cautious of Preserving Sake?
Delicate sake such as ginjo, daiginjo, and nama need a lot of attention.
In Japanese, nama means unpasteurized hence we highly recommend storing it in a fridge.
Normally, microorganisms such as yeast found in nama sake are still alive because it is unpasteurized and it is at a higher risk of changing its flavor.
For ginjo and daiginjo, you can keep them at room temperature because they are already pasteurized.
Also, some are very delicate and their flavors can change at higher temperatures.
However, it is still recommended that you store them in a refrigerator too.
Does Sake Need To Be Refrigerated After Opening?
Once it is opened, it is highly advisable to refrigerate it.
Sake contains weak aromatic notes that are highly prone to the environment around, thus it needs to be stored at 40 °F.
But before we figure out how to do it, it is important that you understand what sake is made of.
And this is as follows:
Flavor
Sake has a mild but sweet flavor with traces of sour and savory notes. It also has a mild nutty and subtle fruity flavor than that of normal wine.
Refrigerated sake also has this flavor but its sweet notes are more accentuated, giving the drink a perfect mouthfeel.
On the other hand, warm sake also has the same flavor but it will depend on the method used to heat it and the time taken.
There are professionals who can easily group sake using given flavor characteristics.
These include Amami (sweetness), shibumi (tartness), nigami (bitterness), karami (dryness), and sanmi (acidity).
Texture
Sake has a crispy and smooth texture with a very clear appearance except for some varieties that are cloudy.
This cloudy appearance is due to the rice residues that are always added and end up in the bottle.
This makes the drink have a nice texture and appealing flavor.
The viscosity of sake will differ depending on whether it is diluted or not.
However, in most cases, all varieties usually have a smooth texture.
ABV
The average ABV range of sake is around 18-20%, which is more than beer and wine.
However, the range varies depending on the type of sake but generally, it doesn’t fall below 18%.
However, it can drop to as low as 15% if diluted in the bottle.
Step By Step Guide On How To Store Sake In a Fridge
Should sake be refrigerated? Of course, the answer is yes! Sake can and just should be refrigerated. Now that yes, sake can be stored in the fridge.
You are probably wondering how to do it. Fret not.
Below is a step-by-step guide that will see you through the process.
Step #1: Protect The Sake From Light, Oxidation, and Heat
In the first step, ensure that sake, whether it has or has not been previously opened is adequately protected from the above conditions.
These are oxidation, light, and heat. The trio is extremely dangerous and harmful to your sake.
Therefore, before you go on with this procedure, take care of your sake by sealing it in containers that will not allow for light or heat through, nor shall it undergo oxidation.
Tip: To prevent sake from oxidation, seal the container to airtight so that there is air escaping in.
Step #2: Place The Sake in the Refrigerator
Once you have your sake well covered, that is in an airtight container and airtight to the core, it is time to transfer it to the refrigerator.
The refrigerator is the very best place to store your sake, for about a week, it will be kept fit for use.
Note that if you want sake longer, then the freezer is the best option.
Now, ensure that you observe some order in your fridge as always.
Do not place sake in your refrigerator on the same rack as other products.
Tip: Ensure that if your fridge has the lighting fluorescent tube that it is powered off at all times.
How Long Should Sake Be Stored?
You can hardly tell if sake has expired or not, bearing in mind that it is a fermented product. You can only notice this by tasting it.
If you notice that it has an unusual pungent smell, it has turned and should be disposed of.
In other cases, you will notice that the color of sake turns yellow. This also indicates that your sake is bad and should be thrown away.
Most brewers do not indicate the expiry date because they assume the alcohol content keeps the drink somewhat stable and prevents it from going bad rapidly.
It is highly advisable to drink sake as soon as possible if you do not have a refrigerator for storage.
Proper storage and handling will make your sake tasty.
Tip: Sake bottles usually show dates of manufacture only.
Signs That Sake has Gone Bad
Now, to tell that your sake has gone bad, here are the tale tell signs of spoilt sake.
Sign #1: A Yellowish Tint
As much s you can, do whatever needs to be done to ensure that oxidation doesn’t happen for the sake of.
Because when it does, you will quickly realize that the initial clear color disappears into the thick air and is replaced by a yellowish tint.
At the sight of this tint, you should be able to tell that sake just got spoilt.
Sign #2: Bad Odor
A bad smell should also be a loud way of telling that sake is gone and is no longer useful.
Stay away from it and dump it far from the reach of your children and pets.
Other indications of spoilt include the following:
- Particles in it
- A bad taste.
Read Next: Do Margaritas Have A Lot Of Alcohol?
Conclusion
Does Sake Need To Be Refrigerated? Following this article, it is now in your domain and understanding that indeed Sake can be refrigerated.
Not only can it be refrigerated but also refrigeration is the best way to get your sake stored.
It is no rocket science nor is there any detailed or tough explanation for it.
Get your sake refrigerated well today for tomorrow.