Naraman Sake Tasting at Sake Hana

When Sake Hana talks, people listen! or at least rabid sake fans listen. I was happy to be on the Sake Hana email list to get a notice about a special event being held in their little sake hideaway.

Scott, Chizuko-san and I made our reservations for a special event: Naraman Muroka sake at different temperatures! Same sake – 5 different tastes.

Best part of all, Nobuo Shoji-san, Executive Director of Yumegokoro Sake Brewery – makers of Naraman – would be introducing all sake! Shoji-san gave us a fascinating overview of his Brewery and we sampled only Naraman Muroka sake with a little tuna sashimi and increasingly warm sake.

Here is an overview of the different sake temperatures:

Sake Naming and Temperature Chart
Japanese Name	Celsius	Fahrenheit	English Name
Tobikirikan	55° C	133° F	Very Hot Sake
Atsukan	50° C	122° F	Hot Sake
Jokan	45° C	113° F	Slightly Hot Sake
Nurukan	40° C	104° F	Warm Sake
Hitohadakan	35° C	95° F	Body Temperature
Hinatakan	30° C	86° F	Sunbathing in Summer
Zuzuhie	15° C	59° F	Cool autumn Breeze
Hanahie	10° C	51° F	Blooming Spring Flower
Yukihie	5° C	41° F	Falling Winter Snow

Honestly, I liked Naraman at all temperatures, but I think that hitohadakan (body temperature) was one of my favorite. Shoji-san was excited to try this temperature experiment with his sake, too. Everyone in attendance had a great time. I was left with the understanding that served warm or cold, Naraman is hot, hot, hot!