The milky sake that you are referring to is called Nigori. Nigori is a style of sake rather than a specific classification. It is known as “cloudy sake” because it has rice solids, also known as lees, suspended in the liquid. This gives Nigori its distinct milky appearance.
Contrary to popular belief, Nigori sake is not technically unfiltered. Sake undergoes both pressing and filtration processes during production. However, Nigori sake is only coarsely pressed, which allows some of the rice solids to remain in the final product. This gives Nigori its unique texture and cloudy appearance.
I remember the first time I tried Nigori sake. It was at a traditional Japanese izakaya in Tokyo. The server brought over a small ceramic flask and poured the milky liquid into a small glass. As I took my first sip, I was immediately struck by the creamy texture and the slightly sweet, rice-forward flavors. It was unlike any other sake I had tasted before.
Nigori sake is often enjoyed for its rich and robust flavor profile. The presence of rice solids gives it a fuller body and a slightly sweeter taste compared to other types of sake. The flavors can range from fruity and tropical to nutty and earthy, depending on the specific brewery and production methods.
One interesting aspect of Nigori sake is that it can vary in terms of its level of cloudiness. Some Nigori sake is lightly cloudy, with just a hint of rice solids, while others can be quite thick and opaque. This is a result of different pressing techniques used by the breweries.
When serving Nigori sake, it is common to gently shake the bottle to remix the rice solids with the liquid. This ensures that you get the full flavor and texture experience with each pour. Nigori sake is typically enjoyed chilled and can be paired with a variety of dishes, from sushi and sashimi to spicy Asian cuisine.
Nigori is the milky sake that you are referring to. It is a style of sake that has rice solids suspended in the liquid, giving it a cloudy appearance. Nigori sake is not unfiltered, but rather coarsely pressed to retain some of the rice solids. It offers a unique and flavorful experience with its creamy texture and slightly sweet taste.