What is the autumn Sake"Akiagari"?

What is autumn Sake"Akiagari"?

"Akiagari" is Sake that is in season in autumn, and strictly speaking it is not a type of sake, but a term that refers to the state of the sake. Sake pressed in the spring matures over the summer, and the state in which it "increases in flavor and umami as autumn approaches" is called "Akiagari". On the other hand, if the maturation does not go well and the sake does not become delicious, it is called "Aki-ochi".

Besides Akiagari, you will also start to see Sake called "Hiyaoroshi" in autumn. Both terms refer to the state of the sake, and are made by pressing in the spring and letting it mature during the summer before shipping. Both "Akiagari" and "Hiyaoroshi" are special Sake that are released from the brewery after the summer, but there are differences between them.

Normally, Sake undergoes a heating process called pasteurization, once before storage and once before shipping. However, in the case of "Hiyaoroshi," the pasteurization process is not carried out before shipping, so you can enjoy the raw flavor of the sake. This is a big difference from "Akiagari."

Recommended ways to enjoy

"Akiagari" is characterized by its mellow, deep flavor that comes from aging. If you want to enjoy the original flavor, we recommend enjoying it at room temperature first. This allows you to directly experience the umami of the rice.

In early autumn, when the heat is still lingering, it is also good to enjoy it lightly chilled. It gives it a refreshing taste. When the weather starts to get chilly, we recommend trying warm sake. We recommend lukewarm sake at around 40°C, or hot sake at around 50°C. Warming it up opens up the aroma, deepens the richness, and gives it a fuller flavor. Enjoy the changes in flavor at different temperatures: chilled, at room temperature, and warm.

Another recommended way to enjoy it is pairing it with dishes that use autumn ingredients. The robust flavor of Akiagari goes perfectly with fish such as pacific saury and autumn salmon, as well as the flavorful autumn foods such as eggplant, sweet potato, and mushrooms! Pair fatty pacific saury with cold sake for a refreshing taste, or warm sake with a hot pot for a rich, rich flavor... Why not enjoy some seasonal sake and side dishes slowly on a long, comfortable autumn night?

Enjoy seasonal food

"Akiagari"is a Sake of sake that is pressed in the spring, but after the summer, its flavor and umami increases as autumn approaches. Enjoy the bounty of autumn at your favorite temperature, paired with seasonal dishes, and enjoy the charms of the four seasons with Sake.