Amazake facts for kids
A cup of amazake
|
|
| Type | Plant milk |
|---|---|
| Course | Drink |
| Place of origin | Japan |
| Region or state | East Asia |
| Associated national cuisine | Japanese cuisine |
| Created by | Kofun period in Japan |
| Serving temperature | Warm, room temperature, or cold |
| Main ingredients | Fermented rice |
Amazake (pronounced ah-mah-zah-keh) is a traditional sweet Japanese drink. It usually has very little or no alcohol. It is made from fermented rice. People have enjoyed amazake in Japan for a very long time. Its history goes back to the Kofun period in ancient Japan. It is even mentioned in an old Japanese book called the Nihon Shoki.
Contents
What is Amazake?
Amazake is part of a group of traditional Japanese foods. These foods are made using a special mold called Aspergillus oryzae, also known as kōji. Other foods made with kōji include miso (a savory paste), soy sauce, and sake (a Japanese alcoholic drink).
How is Amazake Made?
There are a few ways to make amazake. These recipes have been used for hundreds of years.
- Using kōji and rice: One popular way is to add kōji (the mold) to cooked, cooled whole grain rice. The kōji has special things called enzymes. These enzymes break down the carbohydrates (sugars and starches) in the rice. They turn them into simpler, natural sugars. As the mixture sits and warms gently, it becomes naturally sweet.
- Using sake kasu: Another way to make amazake is to mix sake kasu with water. Sake kasu is a leftover product from making sake. Sugar is then added to this mixture to make it sweet.
Uses and Traditions
Amazake is very versatile! It can be used in many different ways:
- As a dessert
- As a snack
- As a natural sweetener in other foods
- As baby food
- In salad dressings
- In smoothies
A traditional amazake drink is made by mixing amazake with water. This mixture is heated gently, often with a pinch of finely grated ginger on top. This warm drink used to be very popular with street vendors. Today, you can still find it at inns, teahouses, and at festivals. Many Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples offer or sell amazake during the New Year celebrations. In more recent times, you can even buy instant versions of amazake!
Healthy Benefits
Amazake is known for having many good nutrients. These include:
- Vitamin B1
- Vitamin B2
- Vitamin B6
- Folic acid
- Dietary fiber (good for digestion)
- Oligosaccharide (a type of sugar that can help good gut bacteria)
- Cysteine
- Arginine
- Glutamine
Outside of Japan, you can often find amazake in Asian grocery stores, especially in winter. It is also sold all year round in natural food stores in places like the U.S. and Europe. People buy it as a drink or as a natural sweetener.
Similar Drinks
There are other drinks around the world that are similar to amazake:
- In China, there is a drink called jiuniang.
- In Korea, there is a drink called gamju.
- In grape winemaking, there is something called must. This is a sweet, thick, unfermented grape juice. It is similar because it is also a sweet liquid made from a plant product before it fully ferments.
See also
In Spanish: Amazake para niños
