Collection: Junmai Sake

"The word Junmai literally translates as “pure rice.” Therefore, bottles or brands labeled Junmai-shu are “pure rice sakes.” And that’s exactly what you get when you open one of these premium bottles, preparing yourself to experience sake’s true, focused palate.

Junmai is most commonly produced at medium-to-high temperatures brewed in quicker batches. This sake is also the only grade without specific rice polishing requirements. Brewers will typically use around 70% of the full rice kernel, coaxing Junmai’s concentrated grain and koji flavors. The result is a higher acidity, umami-forward or savory beverage with little to no residual sweetness.

Junmai food pairings: Given its acidic but savory and umami-forward taste, pair Junmai sake with fatty meats like pork or ribeye steaks. Junmai also goes exceptionally well with high umami-veggies like mushrooms, asparagus and artichokes — all notoriously challenging liquor pairs." Takara Sake USA