Amazake

Amazake (Japanese甘 酒, dt " sweet sake " ), also known as Rei (醴), is a traditional Japanese drink made from fermented rice. It is sweet, low-alcohol or non-prescription, and part of the family of traditional Japanese dishes, using the fungus koji (麹, Aspergillus oryzae ) are produced. These also include miso, soy sauce and sake.

The basic recipe for Amazake is for hundreds of years the same: koji is added to cooled, boiled brown rice. The enzymes of the fungus break down the starch of the rice into sugar so that the mixture is sweet.

Amazake can be used as a dessert, snack, natural sweetener, baby food or salad dressing. The traditional drink is prepared by diluting with water, heated up to the boiling point and often decorated with some finely grated ginger. It was formerly often served by street vendors, in restaurants and teahouses today. In the 20th century even instant Amazake was invented.

Many Shinto shrines distribute or sell it to the New Year, it is also a traditional drink for Hina Matsuri ( Doll Festival ).

Amazake supposed to be very nutritious and contain no additives, preservatives, sweeteners or sodium chloride. Outside of Japan, it is therefore often sold in shops for healthy food.