Happy almost Jubilee weekend to my UK subscribers and hello to everyone else who is scattered across the world (I appreciate you too).
Shining a light on lesser-known drinks is something I love doing with Drink To That and the more niche I can be, the more enjoyable it becomes.
Take awamori for example.
When I first heard about Okinawa’s national spirit I didn’t know how to say it, let alone how to drink it.
These days, it’s become one of my favourite niche drinks and here I am spreading the love about a spirit that has a rich history and culture behind it.
Best,
Jamie
6 Amazing Facts About Awamori
Awamori is generally lumped into the Japanese shochu category, but it stands alone with its own special history and importance.
With that in mind, here are six amazing facts about awamori to demystify this ancient spirit.
1. Okinawa’s national spirit
Awamori is indigenous to the Okinawan islands and is produced with the following ingredients: black koji, Indica rice, yeast and water.
This is different from shochu, which can be produced from a broader range of base starches like sweet potato, barley and buckwheat. Shochu can also be made with yellow or white koji, while awamori can only be made with black.
Another key difference between the spirits is that shochu has a two-step distillation method, whereas awamori only has one.
2. A royal drink
During the 18th and early 19th centuries, awamori was reserved exclusively for the Okinawan royal family. The famed Ryukyu courtier and nobleman Sai On was of the opinion that distilled alcohol should only be enjoyed by the upper echelon of society.
The King clearly shared On’s opinion, as it was decreed that awamori could only be distilled under a royal patronage. Only 40 distillers were granted this right and they had to produce awamori in sight of Shuri Castle in the Sanka region.
3. Perfect for a poetry slam
Okinawans are well-known for their celebrations and awamori plays an important role in helping them to let loose. One such event is called otori, which originated from the people of Miyakojima to the south of Okinawa’s main island.
Otori involves a storyteller called an oya, who downs a shot of awamori, refills it and then sends the glass to the next person. Each member of the circle tells a story, gives a speech or recites a poem.
4. Matured to perfection
Ageing awamori is a common practice in Okinawa. Called kusu, (koshu in regular Japanese), aged awamori is usually kept in clay pots that are stored underground or in caves.
This tradition has a strong connection to family life. Okinawans purchase their own awamori clay pots to mark occasions like births or weddings. For example, on the day of a man’s 20th birthday, the father may break out awamori from the pot and it’ll be enjoyed by all the family to celebrate the milestone.
5. Snakebite medicine
Japan has a history of producing medicinal drinks that feature ‘natural ingredients’ like plants and animals. One of the most infamous is habushu, which involves drowning a pit viper in awamori.
The snake’s venom is diluted by the alcohol and is thought to give a potent kick. No wonder it’s favoured by old men who’re convinced it can restore their virility!
6. The sound of a refill
A traditional way of drinking awamori is out of a chibugwa cap alongside a carafe called a gari-gari. It features a ceramic ball inside, which makes a ‘gari-gari’ sound once the vessel has been emptied.
Interestingly, this sound was a necessity when awamori was prized as a royal drink. It also stopped stingy hosts from refusing to pour more awamori for their guests. The noise of the gari-gari kept everyone honourable and ensured all the drinks were shared equally.
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One of many hats I wear is copywriting and content marketing and I specialise in helping drink brands showcase their values and build authority in their niche.
Services include brand tone of voice creation, long-form article writing, social media writing, website pages and white paper development to name a few.
If you’d like support or know someone who does, reply back to this email and let’s have a chat.
Download the free Beginner’s Guide To Awamori
For a deeper dive into awamori, you can check out this free Beginner’s Guide To Awamori and includes:
Commentary from awamori expert and founder of Blue Habu Maurice Dudley
What awamori is, isn’t and how it’s made
Personal awamori recommendations for beginners and distillery stories