[Trivia] Why does aging make sake taste better? Foods that go well with aged sake!
In recent years, more and more people have become addicted to the deliciousness of aged sake. How does that unique flavor come about, and what changes occur in the bottle? Sake sommelier Eriko Fujita also explains which dishes go well with aged sake.

INDEX
The color and flavor deepen with age
The rich, mature type, which is made by aging Junmai sake or Honjozo sake at room temperature, becomes darker in amber color over time, has a stronger, more profound flavor, and a less sour taste. It has a complex aroma that is likened to nuts, spices, vanilla, dried fruit, honey, and maple syrup.
In contrast, the lightly matured type, which is aged at low temperatures, undergoes gentle changes, resulting in a mellow flavor while retaining the ginjo-like aroma. Sake that was rough and hard when new will settle and become more well-rounded after a few years of aging.
What chemical changes are occurring?
The change in color that occurs with aging is due to an aminocarbonyl reaction caused by the combination of sugars and amino acids contained in the sake. Also known as the Maillard reaction, this is the same principle behind why fried onions turn brown. Also, a substance called sotolon, which is formed by the combination of amino acids and organic acids, is the source of the sake's distinctive sweet aroma. This is why the change is more pronounced in junmai sake than in ginjo sake, which has less sugar and amino acids.
The mechanism by which the taste becomes mellower has not yet been clearly elucidated, but one theory is that over time, alcohol molecules enter into clusters of water molecules, and the water envelopes and softens the sharpness of the alcohol.
Click here for related articles

- Long-term aged sake research group The past, present, and future of aged sake
These dishes go perfectly with aged sake
Rich, matured sakes go particularly well with strong-flavored dishes. For Japanese food, they go well with grilled eel and braised pork, and for Western food, they go well with roast duck and beef stew. Matured sakes also go well with spicy dishes that don't go well with other sakes. They also stand up to blue cheese and strong-flavored washed-type cheeses.
The appropriate temperature range is chilled for lightly ripe sake, and room temperature to warm for strongly ripe sake, so you can enjoy the flavor slowly. If you are concerned about the strong aroma, chilling it will make it easier to drink.
We recommend using clear glass so you can see the color of the drink. A deep bowl, like a brandy glass, will let you enjoy the rich aroma to the fullest.
Recommendations for easy home aging
Aged sake has a strong personality, so once you get hooked, you'll want to explore the deep world that awaits you. There are some enthusiasts who are particular about aging sake at home, installing special refrigerators or lining up 10L bottles in the closet. In fact, I have several bottles of sake that have been aged at room temperature (left alone?) for over XNUMX years in my home. I'm planning to leave them in storage for a while, looking forward to when I can open the bottle and see what they taste like.
Sake does not have a best-before date, and if there is no problem with the production, it will not spoil if unopened, and it will not turn into vinegar as is commonly known. If you want to age it at room temperature, just choose a place that is not exposed to light and where the temperature does not change as much as possible. Home aging is surprisingly easy, so why not give it a try?
Click here for related articles

- Let's take a closer look at the inspiration behind the concept of "SAKE WORLD NFT," a new way to enjoy Japanese sake by growing aged sake!
-
#NFT♯Aged sake#Kyoto
Writer/Sake Master Eriko Fujita
Expand your world to a sake specialty store in Osaka and encounter a variety of sake and sake breweries. Favorite sakes are Akishika, Ohgi, and others.
Other than drinking, my hobbies include collecting minerals and raising swallowtail butterflies.
Click here for a list of trivia
https://sakeworld.jp/trivia/