Amazake (Sweet Fermented Rice Drink)
Amazake is a traditional Japanese sweet, non-alcoholic or low-alcoholic beverage made from fermented rice. It has a thick, creamy texture and a naturally sweet, sake-like flavor, often enjoyed during the New Year holidays. This recipe uses rice koji (a mold that ferments rice) to convert the starches in cooked rice into sugars.
🧂 Ingredients
- 200 g Rice koji (koji-kin)(Available at Japanese grocery stores or online. Ensure it's fresh.)
- 300 g Cooked short-grain rice(Plain cooked rice, ideally day-old and slightly cooled. Sushi rice works well.)
- 400 ml Water(Filtered or boiled and cooled water is recommended.)
- 1-2 cm piece Fresh ginger(Optional, for serving. Grated or thinly sliced.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the koji: If your rice koji is in large clumps, gently break it apart with your hands. This helps distribute the enzymes evenly.
⏱️ 2 minutes - 2
Combine ingredients: In a clean bowl (or the inner pot of a rice cooker), combine the broken-apart rice koji, the cooked rice, and the water. Mix thoroughly with a spoon or spatula until the rice and koji are well incorporated. Ensure there are no dry pockets of rice.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 3
Ferment: Transfer the mixture to a rice cooker. Set the rice cooker to the 'keep warm' function. The ideal fermentation temperature for amazake is between 55-60°C (131-140°F). If your rice cooker doesn't maintain this temperature range, you may need to use an insulated cooler with hot water bottles or a sous vide setup. Stir the mixture gently every 2-3 hours to ensure even fermentation and prevent clumping. The fermentation process will take 8-12 hours. You'll know it's ready when the rice grains have softened and broken down, and the mixture has a sweet aroma and a thick, porridge-like consistency. The sweetness comes from the enzymes in the koji breaking down the rice starches into sugars.
⏱️ 8-12 hours - 4
Check for sweetness and texture: Taste the amazake. It should be noticeably sweet. If it's not sweet enough after 12 hours, you can continue fermenting for a bit longer. The consistency should be thick but pourable. If it becomes too thick, you can add a little more warm water.
⏱️ 1 minute - 5
Stop fermentation: Once satisfied with the taste and texture, you can stop the fermentation process by heating the amazake. Gently heat it on the stovetop over low heat, or use the 'cook' function on your rice cooker (if it doesn't get too hot), until it reaches about 70-80°C (158-176°F) and hold for a few minutes. This deactivates the enzymes and prevents further fermentation. Be careful not to boil it vigorously, as this can alter the flavor.
⏱️ 5-10 minutes - 6
Strain and blend (optional): For a smoother drink, you can strain the amazake through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing down on the solids. Alternatively, use an immersion blender or a regular blender to achieve a smoother consistency. Be cautious when blending hot liquids.
⏱️ 3 minutes - 7
Serve: Amazake can be served warm or chilled. Pour into glasses and garnish with freshly grated ginger or a thin slice of ginger. Stir well before serving as some separation may occur.
⏱️ 1 minute
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Temperature control is crucial: The key to successful amazake is maintaining the correct fermentation temperature (55-60°C / 131-140°F). If the temperature gets too high (above 65°C / 149°F), it will kill the koji enzymes, and the rice won't convert to sugar properly. If it's too low, fermentation will be very slow or stop.
- ✓Use fresh ingredients: Ensure your rice koji is within its expiry date and stored properly. Freshness impacts the fermentation activity.
- ✓Adjust sweetness: The sweetness level depends on the fermentation time and the quality of the koji. Taste and adjust as needed.
- ✓Storage: Leftover amazake can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. It may continue to ferment slightly, so check the taste before consuming.
- ✓Non-alcoholic vs. Alcoholic: This recipe yields a non-alcoholic amazake. For a slightly alcoholic version, you can allow it to ferment longer at a slightly lower temperature, or add a small amount of sake lees (sake kasu) during the final heating stage.
🔄 Variations
- Salted Amazake: Add a pinch of salt during the final heating stage for a subtle flavor enhancement.
- Chilled Amazake: Serve thoroughly chilled, especially in warmer weather. It's refreshing.
- Fruity Amazake: Blend with fresh or frozen fruits like strawberries, mangoes, or bananas for a fruity twist.
- Spiced Amazake: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg during the final heating for a warm, spiced flavor.