Full Transcript for Funky Packaging: Koimari Nomanne Porcelain One Cups

has probably coincided with that, with that rail system, as you mentioned the sixties, I was like, yeah, that really does line up a little bit, doesn't it? 00:04:44.190 --> 00:04:45.841 That's very cool. 00:04:46.935 --> 00:04:53.896 Yeah, so to have a one cup made out of fine Japanese porcelain is not usual. 00:04:53.896 --> 00:04:56.295 And dare I say funky. 00:04:56.295 --> 00:05:10.576 So we're gonna dive into this really unique packaging today to see what it tastes like and to talk a little bit about the brewery and the design series that they came up with to promote this porcelain beautiful porcelain one cup. 00:05:10.576 --> 00:05:12.370 Uh, you can buy here in the States. 00:05:12.370 --> 00:05:15.610 So, uh, it's gonna be a great, great topic to talk about today. 00:05:16.050 --> 00:05:16.620 Excellent. 00:05:16.620 --> 00:05:17.100 Excellent. 00:05:17.100 --> 00:05:17.880 Great. 00:05:17.880 --> 00:05:21.230 So who is this guilty party that's using ceramic in their one cups? 00:05:21.230 --> 00:05:21.500 Tim? 00:05:22.490 --> 00:05:28.821 Yeah, so the brewery is called Koimari Sake Brewery, and they're located in Saga. 00:05:28.821 --> 00:05:42.425 If you've ever heard of Imari before, if that rings any kind of a bell for you, uh, you may be into porcelain, uh, because there's a very famous porcelain called Imari porcelain in Japan. 00:05:42.425 --> 00:05:46.776 It's the same area of Japan as Arita porcelain as well. 00:05:46.776 --> 00:05:54.276 I think we've talked about arita porcelain on the podcast before when we've done episodes on Saga Prefecture, right? 00:05:54.831 --> 00:05:55.120 Yeah. 00:05:55.120 --> 00:05:56.521 We actually talk about saga. 00:05:56.521 --> 00:05:58.444 Weirdly often, I think. 00:05:58.444 --> 00:06:11.644 Um, so, uh, if you wanna go and talk about, uh, if you wanna go and listen to us talk about, uh, about Saga porcelain, you can go back to episode 29, the Saga of Saga Kuras, which inspired naming on that one. 00:06:11.644 --> 00:06:12.363 I really like that. 00:06:12.363 --> 00:06:22.853 And then, uh, Koimari actually got, got mentioned and sipped on when we had Jessica Jolie on the show talking about saga sake in episode 119. 00:06:22.853 --> 00:06:27.009 So back there and, and look into this, uh, when you're done listening to this episode. 00:06:27.791 --> 00:06:28.122 Yeah. 00:06:28.122 --> 00:06:37.752 So Koimari Brewery, there is a port town of Imari and that's where this porcelain was shipped all around Japan and later shipped to the wider world. 00:06:37.752 --> 00:06:42.701 Um, and they named a series of sake after. 00:06:42.701 --> 00:06:46.737 This very famous porcelain from their hometown. 00:06:46.737 --> 00:06:56.906 And this brewery was founded in 1909, but today it's still a relatively small brewery, uh, making about 700 Koku a year. 00:06:57.416 --> 00:06:57.836 Oh, wow. 00:06:57.836 --> 00:06:57.987 Yeah. 00:06:57.987 --> 00:06:59.336 That is small. 00:06:59.336 --> 00:07:02.156 Could you, um, could you remind everybody at home what a Koku is? 00:07:03.401 --> 00:07:12.911 Yes, A koku is a measurement of volume for the production of a sake brewery, and one koku equals 1,800 liters. 00:07:14.922 --> 00:07:17.351 And what does that translate into for like bottles? 00:07:18.528 --> 00:07:22.939 do you know the, the 1.8 liter Isshobin party size bottles? 00:07:23.209 --> 00:07:23.733 I sure do. 00:07:24.334 --> 00:07:25.173 You sure do. 00:07:25.173 --> 00:07:35.363 Well if you have 100 of those, imagine that stacked up on a pallet that is one koku, and then they make 700 Koku. 00:07:35.363 --> 00:07:47.644 So, uh, that gives you an idea of how many bottles, not huge production, I think for Japan, it's on the smaller side, uh, but they export their delicious sake to the states. 00:07:47.644 --> 00:07:51.694 So, uh, all listeners here in the States can enjoy these sakes as well. 00:07:52.803 --> 00:07:53.463 Very cool. 00:07:53.463 --> 00:08:03.598 I'm, I'm glad that they are, getting their, you know, little by little, I've been seeing more of their stuff in the States and it's been a lot of fun, to see them, grow their, their export. 00:08:06.463 --> 00:08:12.494 Yeah, so if you'll indulge me, I just want to talk very briefly about the. 00:08:12.494 --> 00:08:16.543 Imari porcelain that inspired these one cups. 00:08:16.543 --> 00:08:18.173 Just a little bit of background. 00:08:18.173 --> 00:08:25.233 We talked about Aritaware in the past, and Imari is a same region, very similar. 00:08:25.233 --> 00:08:31.992 I think that, uh, Porcelain falls under the umbrella of the arita region. 00:08:31.992 --> 00:08:34.001 They're very, very closely related. 00:08:34.001 --> 00:08:40.152 This is one of the first types of porcelain to be exported out of Japan for the European market. 00:08:40.152 --> 00:08:42.642 And that was way back in the Edo period. 00:08:42.642 --> 00:08:48.895 So in 16 hundreds, little little bits of this porcelain started trickling out, being traded. 00:08:48.895 --> 00:08:52.855 It's known for very vibrant colors, usually on a white background. 00:08:52.855 --> 00:09:01.586 And the designs are influenced by a lot of the popular Chinese porcelain that was available around these times. 00:09:01.586 --> 00:09:07.966 Brocade patterns are very, very popular and, yeah, it's just very, very classic. 00:09:07.966 --> 00:09:10.546 We're gonna include some photos of. 00:09:10.546 --> 00:09:14.821 Koimari porcelain in our show notes. 00:09:14.821 --> 00:09:22.140 So if you'd like to see some really classic examples of what this particular type of porcelain looks like, check out our show notes for sure. 00:09:22.140 --> 00:09:33.030 And we'll also post photos of these beautiful one cups that are inspired by this traditional designs of the classic porcelain. 00:09:34.081 --> 00:09:42.211 And I'm glad we are because I think it's kind of hard to, uh, explain or hard to have people picture what this looks like without having actual,

um, images of it. 00:09:42.211 --> 00:09:44.671 So remember guys show notes. 00:09:45.436 --> 00:09:50.596 Yes, this is, here we are again with another VIS visual episode. 00:09:50.596 --> 00:09:51.765 Uh, trying trying 00:09:51.780 --> 00:09:53.910 happens a lot here on Sake Revolution. 00:09:53.910 --> 00:09:58.140 But you know, I, I'm sure people, uh, enjoy checking out the show notes. 00:09:58.605 --> 00:10:05.535 Yeah, it happens a lot with the funky packaging episodes because we're talking about the visual appearance of the packaging a lot. 00:10:05.535 --> 00:10:09.076 So, uh, definitely check out the show notes to see the pictures. 00:10:09.856 --> 00:10:10.667 Very cool. 00:10:10.667 --> 00:10:19.312 So, uh, let's get into these cups and, and we'll talk about what we've got in our hands, talk about what they look like, and then after that we'll talk about what they taste like. 00:10:20.616 --> 00:10:21.187 Yes. 00:10:21.187 --> 00:10:23.976 So, uh, John, you and I both have. 00:10:23.976 --> 00:10:27.996 One of the, uh, koimari cups 00:10:28.147 --> 00:10:28.417 do. 00:10:29.017 --> 00:10:30.726 and we have different designs. 00:10:30.846 --> 00:10:31.417 Yes. 00:10:31.417 --> 00:10:36.636 Yes, though there, there, it looks like there are quite a few different designs. 00:10:36.636 --> 00:10:37.807 I'd say at least. 00:10:37.807 --> 00:10:40.177 Whether there at least five or is it just five? 00:10:40.866 --> 00:10:46.866 yeah, there are five classic ones and they just launched two additional ones that are not exported yet. 00:10:46.866 --> 00:10:48.366 So, 00:10:48.547 --> 00:10:50.491 We're always one step behind here in the us. 00:10:51.427 --> 00:10:57.985 yes, so, I am going to introduce mine first. 00:10:57.985 --> 00:11:11.155 So it comes in a, a black gift box and the design, there's a little sticker on the front that shows you which of the five designs is the cup inside, so you don't have to open it up to see which of the five designs you have. 00:11:11.350 --> 00:11:13.150 No, and I see you're saying this is not a a gotcha. 00:11:13.150 --> 00:11:13.660 We don't have 00:11:13.826 --> 00:11:14.336 this is not 00:11:14.380 --> 00:11:15.341 buy, you have to buy all. 00:11:15.341 --> 00:11:18.730 You have to keep buying them over and over again and hope you get all of off the whole set. 00:11:20.605 --> 00:11:36.528 So when we open it up, uh, there is a full sheet folded in there with a front and back color sheet that talks all about this design series and talks all about the, different designs and what they mean. 00:11:36.528 --> 00:11:37.938 It's in Japanese and English. 00:11:37.938 --> 00:11:41.479 So this is absolutely perfect and it's gonna help us a lot today. 00:11:41.479 --> 00:11:44.989 And then you pull out the cup itself. 00:11:44.989 --> 00:11:45.469 Oh wow. 00:11:45.469 --> 00:11:48.009 That is really nice. 00:11:48.844 --> 00:11:49.293 Yeah. 00:11:49.293 --> 00:11:53.884 And, and you know, for people at home who have

had one cups before, you might think like, well, wait a minute. 00:11:53.884 --> 00:11:54.484 A box. 00:11:54.484 --> 00:11:55.833 A box for a one cup. 00:11:55.833 --> 00:11:58.234 And you know, number one, funky packaging. 00:11:58.234 --> 00:11:59.403 Number two. 00:11:59.403 --> 00:12:04.413 since these are porcelain, they are, you know, probably a little bit more fragile than your average one cup. 00:12:04.413 --> 00:12:09.693 So they wanna make sure these, um, can stand some, some wear and tear. 00:12:10.759 --> 00:12:11.208 Yeah. 00:12:11.208 --> 00:12:15.558 And I have a strong, strong suspicion that these are often gifted 00:12:15.879 --> 00:12:16.099 Mm. 00:12:16.129 --> 00:12:28.399 as, you know, a type of a gift or omiyage and having the beautiful, uh, small box to hold these,, porcelain ceramic one cups is really, really a nice touch. 00:12:28.399 --> 00:12:30.019 So do you have yours out as well, John? 00:12:30.019 --> 00:12:30.048 I 00:12:30.303 --> 00:12:31.413 I do, I do. 00:12:31.413 --> 00:12:34.298 So, um, tell me about yours. 00:12:34.984 --> 00:12:50.464 Okay, so mine is a very beautiful blue and white design, and it is called in, it is called in Japanese Fuyode Fuyode, and that means the lotus hand. 00:12:50.464 --> 00:12:55.533 So it's the lotus hand pattern, and it's a design that originated in China. 00:12:56.448 --> 00:13:02.928 Oh, and that, that's a, that pattern, that, that style is something that I've seen, you know, many times over the years. 00:13:02.928 --> 00:13:08.578 I'm sure that a lot of our listeners have seen this style before, probably on like, um, a. 00:13:08.578 --> 00:13:12.033 Uh, maybe on teacups and stuff like that. 00:13:12.663 --> 00:13:16.744 Yeah, it's a classic indigo, blue and white. 00:13:16.744 --> 00:13:19.653 Uh, it looks like old school. 00:13:19.653 --> 00:13:21.408 Porcelain. 00:13:21.408 --> 00:13:30.139 There's like a key design around the bottom and some flowers that are meant to invoke, uh, lotus flowers, and it's absolutely beautiful. 00:13:30.139 --> 00:13:31.369 I really, really love it. 00:13:31.369 --> 00:13:33.479 So that's the story of mine. 00:13:33.479 --> 00:13:36.089 Blue and white, classic old school porcelain. 00:13:36.089 --> 00:13:37.864 Which design did you get, John? 00:13:38.134 --> 00:13:51.663 So I've got the, uh, Tachibana, it's listed as being a Nabeshima style Tachibana, and mine has, Kind of a yellow citrus fruits on it, on a, on a tree. 00:13:51.663 --> 00:13:54.649 It's a nice little drawing of, trees with, with citrus on it. 00:13:54.649 --> 00:14:03.309 And I went and took a look at some of the language on this, and it says that the, the tree is bearing fruit of everlasting life. 00:14:04.330 --> 00:14:04.899 Oh 00:14:05.230 --> 00:14:05.529 Yeah. 00:14:05.919 --> 00:14:06.370 yeah, 00:14:06.370 --> 00:14:07.779 So it's not just any fruit. 00:14:07.779 --> 00:14:10.149 This is some qual high quality fruit. 00:14:11.409 --> 00:14:13.509 You, you can't get

that fruit at Whole Foods, I 00:14:13.629 --> 00:14:14.590 No, I don't think you can. 00:14:14.590 --> 00:14:17.740 Yeah. 00:14:17.809 --> 00:14:20.740 Tachibana is an ancient variety of citrus. 00:14:20.740 --> 00:14:26.726 So I, I read it's like a old version of like a, a tangerine or something 00:14:26.892 --> 00:14:27.702 Probably, yeah. 00:14:27.908 --> 00:14:29.644 Yeah, so we have the Tachibana. 00:14:29.644 --> 00:14:34.734 Ancient citrus and we have the lotus hand in my 00:14:35.139 --> 00:14:35.558 Mm-hmm. 00:14:35.634 --> 00:14:37.344 and they're both really beautiful. 00:14:37.344 --> 00:14:46.974 So your design has like yellowish orangeish, citrus fruits on a tree with green leaves in the background. 00:14:46.974 --> 00:14:51.563 The one thing that's common among both of all these cups is what I mentioned about. 00:14:51.563 --> 00:14:58.028 The, co imari porcelain in general, which is kind of vibrant colors on a white background. 00:14:58.028 --> 00:15:00.759 I think that's something that is indicative of the style. 00:15:00.759 --> 00:15:06.038 So we both have that, a beautiful white background that really makes the design pop, doesn't it? 00:15:06.293 --> 00:15:07.823 It does, it does, it looks great. 00:15:07.823 --> 00:15:11.153 Um, you know, they, they didn't mess around here. 00:15:11.153 --> 00:15:12.774 They, they made something really beautiful. 00:15:13.024 --> 00:15:13.313 Yeah. 00:15:13.313 --> 00:15:20.288 Now looking at the bottle, I noticed that there's something that is a little incongruous with, uh, ancient. 00:15:20.288 --> 00:15:25.058 Designs, which is a few, a few QR codes here on the back. 00:15:28.119 --> 00:15:30.308 You know, I got a blend of old and new. 00:15:30.668 --> 00:15:31.119 yes. 00:15:31.119 --> 00:15:38.649 So the first QR code is called The Saga, and this is a sticker that they put on the back here. 00:15:38.649 --> 00:15:48.369 And this QR code goes to the saga sake Brewers Association and just is kind of a home base for their, you know, their, regional. 00:15:48.369 --> 00:15:54.879 Style and, a homepage for, what they want to promote as far as what saga sake means. 00:15:54.879 --> 00:15:56.198 And I think that's really great. 00:15:56.198 --> 00:16:01.269 So they're working hard to promote their regionality and their Prefecture in their regional style. 00:16:01.269 --> 00:16:03.458 So that's one QR code. 00:16:03.458 --> 00:16:04.839 And then there's the traditional. 00:16:04.839 --> 00:16:08.578 It, uh, distributors label on the back as well. 00:16:08.578 --> 00:16:14.698 And this is distributed by New York Mutual Trading here in New York, LA Mutual trading on the West coast. 00:16:14.698 --> 00:16:22.259 And this has a QR code as well, so you can also get the stats and the tech sheet for this product. 00:16:22.259 --> 00:16:27.479 Um, and it's got like the alcohol and the volume, size, et cetera, et cetera. 00:16:27.479 --> 00:16:31.798 Yeah, so a couple QR codes along with our, our ancient porcelain. 00:16:31.798 --> 00:16:32.339 I love that. 00:16:34.239 --> 00:16:39.399 You know, it's, uh, you know, gotta gotta bring that, uh, modern touch the saga. 00:16:39.399 --> 00:16:42.129 That's a, that's a great name for it. 00:16:42.129 --> 00:16:42.849 Oh yeah. 00:16:42.849 --> 00:16:47.979 And then on top we have another, we have another modern bit, uh, sticker that says GI Saga. 00:16:47.979 --> 00:16:50.994 Another one of those geographical indicators. 00:16:51.849 --> 00:16:52.479 You got it. 00:16:52.479 --> 00:17:05.898 So saga sake is protected by that GI certification and yeah, so they've got this labeled on all sides, making sure we know this is from saga, if the porcelain wasn't a dead giveaway. 00:17:05.898 --> 00:17:08.952 And on top of that, there is a plastic cover. 00:17:08.952 --> 00:17:18.282 On this, which means that if you open the sake and wanna seal it back up, it comes with this removable plastic cap that you can use. 00:17:18.282 --> 00:17:21.942 I think we talked about this cap before when we talked about one cups. 00:17:22.782 --> 00:17:32.678 we have, and while the cap is very surprisingly good at keeping the sake inside, I would say maybe. 00:17:32.678 --> 00:17:37.813 Don't 100% say, oh, well it's sealed now it's, it's covered. 00:17:37.813 --> 00:17:42.863 But sealed is, is a strong word, and I would kind of treat this as a little bit open once it's opened. 00:17:43.615 --> 00:17:45.050 let's take off the plastic cover. 00:17:45.050 --> 00:17:46.645 All right. 00:17:46.645 --> 00:17:49.165 Yeah. 00:17:49.165 --> 00:17:50.605 And there's the foil pull tab. 00:17:50.861 --> 00:17:51.161 Yep. 00:17:51.161 --> 00:17:57.861 Now in the, in the states, a lot of cups, we have the little tab, like a, like a beer tab, and then it just opens up a small hole. 00:17:57.861 --> 00:18:05.730 In Japan, generally speaking, with, sake, you've got the pull tab where it takes off the entire top of the, uh, the entire top covering. 00:18:06.071 --> 00:18:06.551 That's right. 00:18:06.551 --> 00:18:07.932 So that's what we have here. 00:18:07.932 --> 00:18:09.372 The pull tab is like. 00:18:09.372 --> 00:18:17.711 Off to the side and when we pull on it, it's gonna pull the foil off the entire top of this cup. 00:18:17.711 --> 00:18:19.701 So are we ready to do that? 00:18:19.701 --> 00:18:20.602 Should we pull the trigger? 00:18:20.696 --> 00:18:23.487 I think we are ready to pull the trigger, or at least the pull tab. 00:18:24.372 --> 00:18:24.912 Alright. 00:18:24.912 --> 00:18:26.622 Okay. 00:18:29.332 --> 00:18:31.557 Ooh, there we go. 00:18:31.557 --> 00:18:39.317 This is, this cup looks like, it looks like somebody poured me a sake in a very fancy porcelain cup. 00:18:39.317 --> 00:18:43.337 When I look in, when I put it down on my table and I look at it, I was like, ah, look at that. 00:18:45.063 --> 00:18:46.413 Yeah, so. 00:18:46.413 --> 00:18:55.682 The, the walls of this cup are relatively thick, so this, this

looks like, to me, this looks like a, a tall slim teacup or 00:18:55.992 --> 00:18:56.413 Mm-hmm. 00:18:56.413 --> 00:18:57.012 Yeah. 00:18:57.242 --> 00:19:07.502 Um, it's very beautiful and I wanna note that the lip of the cup is also slightly rounded so that the metal has. 00:19:07.502 --> 00:19:12.962 The metal of the, uh, foil can wrap around and really seal this in. 00:19:12.962 --> 00:19:19.083 So there's a little, uh, lip to the edge of this cup, and I'm sure it makes it very pleasant to drink out of as well. 00:19:19.383 --> 00:19:19.682 Yeah. 00:19:19.682 --> 00:19:21.873 You know, maybe, maybe I was wrong about this lid. 00:19:21.873 --> 00:19:23.403 Maybe it will do a little more than I thought. 00:19:23.942 --> 00:19:24.482 Hmm. 00:19:24.482 --> 00:19:25.712 All 00:19:26.087 --> 00:19:35.958 Um, we, I think we need to stop here though 'cause we're getting perilously close to the idea of drinking the sake and we cannot do that until we have talked about what is in the cup. 00:19:35.958 --> 00:19:44.595 So this is a, Junmai from, koimari, brewery over in Saga, prefecture. 00:19:44.595 --> 00:19:51.295 Um, it uses saga no Hana rice, which i'm going to, give my amateur opinion and say that probably means. 00:19:51.295 --> 00:19:53.109 Flower of saga. 00:19:53.109 --> 00:19:57.210 it has been milled down to 65% of his original size. 00:19:57.210 --> 00:20:08.394 It's using yeast 7 0 1, um, relative to the old seven and s meter value of plus two, that net, meter of dry to sweet. 00:20:08.394 --> 00:20:09.384 So expect something. 00:20:09.384 --> 00:20:12.625 Very, very slightly dry acidity of 2.5. 00:20:12.625 --> 00:20:17.785 Tim, I could be mistaken, but acidity of 2.5 is, is a touch on the high side, is it not? 00:20:18.400 --> 00:20:21.204 A little on the high side, but let's, let's reserve our judgment 00:20:21.535 --> 00:20:23.785 mm We're just talking about the numbers, Tim. 00:20:23.785 --> 00:20:23.994 That's 00:20:24.099 --> 00:20:24.430 Yep. 00:20:24.430 --> 00:20:26.049 That's crunching the numbers. 00:20:26.305 --> 00:20:27.295 this crunch of the numbers. 00:20:27.295 --> 00:20:31.255 Um, and then of course, uh, the alcohol by volume is 15%. 00:20:31.255 --> 00:20:34.105 Sounds like a nice thing to have on a train, 00:20:34.288 --> 00:20:34.979 Yeah. 00:20:34.979 --> 00:20:38.878 Uh, this would be, this would be for the first class car I think. 00:20:39.374 --> 00:20:40.034 exactly 00:20:41.586 --> 00:20:42.365 All right. 00:20:42.365 --> 00:20:50.226 Well, the, uh, well, one other thing we should make clear is that the five different designs, I think they all have the same sake inside. 00:20:50.226 --> 00:20:56.256 So John and I are tasting the same sake, even though we have different designs on our glasses 00:20:56.361 --> 00:20:56.570 Yeah. 00:20:56.570 --> 00:21:02.151 It would be interesting if the cups actually changed the way the sake tasted because of what they print on the outside, but I don't think that's gonna be the case. 00:21:03.185 --> 00:21:03.965 All right. 00:21:03.965 --> 00:21:04.326 Well. 00:21:04.326 --> 00:21:06.486 Here we go. 00:21:06.486 --> 00:21:06.665 I'm 00:21:06.770 --> 00:21:08.240 Well, let's get a, let's get the nose. 00:21:08.240 --> 00:21:10.851 It's hard to get, hard to get the nose on a one cup. 00:21:10.851 --> 00:21:11.361 I find 00:21:13.445 --> 00:21:14.330 I do smell something. 00:21:15.351 --> 00:21:15.830 me too. 00:21:15.830 --> 00:21:16.845 Hmm, 00:21:17.933 --> 00:21:23.983 So to me this smells, just a little bit creamy and a little bit, rice as well. 00:21:23.983 --> 00:21:25.463 This is, uh, gonna be. 00:21:25.463 --> 00:21:31.114 Yeah, gonna be a classic Junmai, so we're not getting much, tropical fruit here. 00:21:31.114 --> 00:21:39.824 I think this is going to be one of those more lactic or rice forward sakes, which is a pretty classic style to put in a one cup. 00:21:40.183 --> 00:21:40.874 I think so too. 00:21:42.523 --> 00:21:47.144 Yeah, so lovely little bit of cream or maybe butter 00:21:47.669 --> 00:21:48.328 Ooh, that would be 00:21:48.374 --> 00:21:49.153 on the nose. 00:21:49.153 --> 00:21:49.544 Yeah. 00:21:49.544 --> 00:21:54.584 And then some rice that saga No Hana sake rice. 00:21:54.824 --> 00:21:55.364 Hmm. 00:21:55.364 --> 00:21:57.703 All right, well, 00:21:58.003 --> 00:21:58.993 Smells good to me. 00:21:58.993 --> 00:22:01.003 It really, it really is a pleasant aroma. 00:22:01.903 --> 00:22:02.413 it is. 00:22:02.413 --> 00:22:13.711 It is, and I, yeah, there is that, that, that, that ricey-ness not like a, not a aggressively rice, but just like faint, subtle, pleasant, All right, let's, let's 00:22:13.756 --> 00:22:14.506 Let's give it a taste. 00:22:14.506 --> 00:22:17.574 Ooh. 00:22:18.848 --> 00:22:19.749 Oh, that was surprising. 00:22:20.844 --> 00:22:21.564 Oh my gosh. 00:22:21.564 --> 00:22:24.953 That acidity, that acidity is there. 00:22:25.269 --> 00:22:26.318 It's the very present. 00:22:26.483 --> 00:22:27.114 Boom. 00:22:27.683 --> 00:22:27.903 wow. 00:22:27.903 --> 00:22:28.743 It is. 00:22:28.743 --> 00:22:33.638 Um, it's a lot more, um, I'm gonna say more tart than I was expecting from the aroma. 00:22:34.994 --> 00:22:35.214 Yes. 00:22:35.375 --> 00:22:36.755 am shocked. 00:22:36.755 --> 00:22:39.755 I'm really legitimately shocked by this. 00:22:40.910 --> 00:22:42.920 It tastes good, but it's tart. 00:22:42.920 --> 00:22:46.279 You're right, it has this tart, a high acidity. 00:22:46.279 --> 00:23:00.063 Um, and I was expecting something much more down to earth basic with the, with the aroma, but it has this really bright acidity. 00:23:00.063 --> 00:23:01.563 Hmm. 00:23:01.563 --> 00:23:02.403 I like it. 00:23:03.153 --> 00:23:03.633 Me too. 00:23:03.633 --> 00:23:06.692 I just wasn't in any way expecting it. 00:23:06.692 --> 00:23:07.923 That's, I'm just like, 00:23:08.178 --> 00:23:09.077 Hmm. 00:23:09.542 --> 00:23:10.022 Hmm 00:23:10.097 --> 00:23:10.548 Oh, wow.

00:23:10.548 --> 00:23:11.448 That's really good. 00:23:12.633 --> 00:23:12.932 hmm. 00:23:12.932 --> 00:23:14.058 That's really nice. 00:23:14.522 --> 00:23:14.762 it. 00:23:14.762 --> 00:23:15.002 Ha. 00:23:15.002 --> 00:23:18.182 If you think about, do you remember Sweet Tarts, those candies? 00:23:18.617 --> 00:23:18.798 I two. 00:23:19.742 --> 00:23:21.992 It has a little bit of that. 00:23:22.577 --> 00:23:23.363 Of that tart. 00:23:23.807 --> 00:23:27.137 sweet, sweet tart candy hint to it. 00:23:27.137 --> 00:23:32.307 But, it's balanced with a grounding in like rice flavor. 00:23:32.307 --> 00:23:35.637 So 60, 65% rice polish. 00:23:35.637 --> 00:23:41.137 But the acidity of 2.5 really comes through and it's such an interesting sake. 00:23:43.178 --> 00:23:44.288 Yeah, this is fun. 00:23:44.288 --> 00:23:45.127 Uh, this is nice. 00:23:45.127 --> 00:23:53.738 So this is a one cup, and I'm gonna say, with the fact that it's a one cup combined with this fun acidity here, what do we think for food? 00:23:54.397 --> 00:23:55.657 Mm. 00:23:57.161 --> 00:24:01.516 I have some ideas, but I think that, but I wanna hear what you have to say. 00:24:03.921 --> 00:24:05.961 Well my, with this high acidity, my. 00:24:05.961 --> 00:24:11.510 Thoughts go immediately to something with citrus in it. 00:24:11.510 --> 00:24:20.691 So I was thinking like, if you've ever had a lemon chicken that is really lemony, I think like a lemon chicken would go really well with this. 00:24:20.691 --> 00:24:24.681 So rice, lemon chicken with that lemon sauce, that would be amazing. 00:24:24.681 --> 00:24:32.780 With this also a, a salad with a citrus vinegarette or, um, you know, those salads that have a little wedge of. 00:24:32.780 --> 00:24:41.685 Orange or grapefruit in them, something with a citrus, uh, and salad I think would be a great pairing as far as the weight is concerned. 00:24:41.685 --> 00:24:43.935 Like, um, nothing too heavy. 00:24:43.935 --> 00:24:44.596 That's my idea. 00:24:44.596 --> 00:24:45.435 What, what do you think, John? 00:24:45.770 --> 00:24:51.711 Um, for some reason, my, my brain immediately went and started craving tempura, uh. 00:24:52.480 --> 00:24:52.560 Hmm. 00:24:53.165 --> 00:25:02.246 I wanted something a little bit oily like, you know, I, I don't know exactly why, but, I feel like it's gonna cut through that a little bit nicely. 00:25:02.246 --> 00:25:07.046 However, one, you know, I am, I am also very sold on your, on your Citrus idea. 00:25:07.046 --> 00:25:10.405 That sounds wonderful and matches my cup as a matter of fact. 00:25:10.855 --> 00:25:11.096 Mm-hmm. 00:25:11.635 --> 00:25:17.155 But I can really go for something that's a little bit, um, you know, a little bit on the more oily side of things. 00:25:17.155 --> 00:25:23.185 So I think tempura, I think a little bit more of the, maybe your, your more oily fishes. 00:25:23.185 --> 00:25:26.786 Like fishes, you're more oily fish, like salmon or tuna. 00:25:26.786 --> 00:25:28.266 that sounds nice. 00:25:28.685 --> 00:25:39.962 Yeah, well my cup has the lotus root flour on it, so maybe I could do I could do Lotus root tempura and you could do the, Tachibana Citrus Salad. 00:25:39.962 --> 00:25:48.323 While we're enjoying sipping on this cup, I have a little kind of a, a description. 00:25:48.323 --> 00:25:52.347 Of the project from the brewery. 00:25:52.347 --> 00:26:07.587 Now the, the brewery is owned by the Maeda family and the current Kuramoto owner is, Kumiko Maeda, who is one of, she's a Toji owner and Kuramoto and, 00:26:07.698 --> 00:26:18.788 Togi and komoto and all in that, that's don't see that many of those, but it's, it's pretty great when they are able to handle all aspects of the, of the brewery, uh, it's pretty exciting. 00:26:18.788 --> 00:26:19.597 Double 00:26:19.613 --> 00:26:20.482 it's amazing. 00:26:20.482 --> 00:26:21.292 Yeah. 00:26:21.292 --> 00:26:29.282 And this project has a name, it's called Nomanne. 00:26:29.282 --> 00:26:36.938 And it was launched by Kumiko, who's the fourth generation owner of Koimari Brewery. 00:26:36.938 --> 00:26:52.807 Uh, and the impetus behind this was to introduce the quality of Japanese sake and the traditional beauty of Imari and Arita porcelain to as many people as possible. 00:26:52.807 --> 00:26:58.688 So the name Nomanne means lets enjoy a drink in the Imari dialect 00:26:59.299 --> 00:26:59.750 Cool. 00:27:00.994 --> 00:27:09.125 Um, this was inspired by a relatively recent trend in cup sake, which is normally produced in glass cups. 00:27:09.125 --> 00:27:21.184 And this is just a wonderful collaboration with a local pottery manufacturer to promote not only the sake of the region, but also the beautiful porcelain and ceramics that they have. 00:27:21.184 --> 00:27:25.835 So, uh, and they're also tying in the connection to the saga Prefecture. 00:27:25.835 --> 00:27:28.890 Appellation, using Sake Rice. 00:27:28.890 --> 00:27:30.990 A hundred percent grown in saga Prefecture. 00:27:30.990 --> 00:27:39.630 So they've got all, this is a full court press of promotion for Saga Prefecture, right. 00:27:39.845 --> 00:27:40.025 Yeah. 00:27:40.025 --> 00:27:41.644 They're putting it all, putting it all on the line. 00:27:42.035 --> 00:27:42.545 Oh my gosh. 00:27:42.545 --> 00:27:50.795 I'm finding myself like going back and sipping and sipping and normally when we're recording, you know, we'll take a sip and we'll go on blah, blah, blah. 00:27:50.795 --> 00:27:54.785 But I'm just finding myself just keep reaching back for this cup. 00:27:54.785 --> 00:27:59.615 It's so elegant to hold and the acidity is the surprising. 00:27:59.615 --> 00:28:01.894 Component of this sake. 00:28:01.894 --> 00:28:04.295 I was not expecting that at all. 00:28:04.295 --> 00:28:05.105 Oh my gosh. 00:28:05.450 --> 00:28:11.750 And I've had a couple of different sakes from koimari before, and not like this. 00:28:11.750 --> 00:28:14.390 This is not like anything else I've tasted

from them. 00:28:14.390 --> 00:28:17.059 I've never known them to play with this high acidity stuff. 00:28:17.059 --> 00:28:19.339 And maybe, you know, maybe we just don't get. 00:28:19.339 --> 00:28:23.660 Their, um, you know, their, their junmais or what have you. 00:28:23.660 --> 00:28:26.150 But this is a super fun, interesting thing. 00:28:26.150 --> 00:28:27.200 I wanna see more of it. 00:28:27.200 --> 00:28:28.670 Like, it's really good. 00:28:28.670 --> 00:28:35.269 I think there's a, you know, I, they've been dipping their toe in the market here and I'm glad to see it, but I would love to see them do more. 00:28:35.269 --> 00:28:36.079 Like, this is great. 00:28:37.430 --> 00:28:46.670 And John, I don't think you'll be surprised by this, but this, koimari, no Nomanne Cup also won a prize for, uh. 00:28:46.670 --> 00:28:49.472 Attractive Japanese souvenir contest. 00:28:49.742 --> 00:28:50.192 Oh, 00:28:50.942 --> 00:28:51.633 Yes. 00:28:51.633 --> 00:29:00.932 In two, in 2007, this project won a prize as, uh, one of the most attractive Japanese souvenirs, and I think it's well deserved. 00:29:00.932 --> 00:29:02.403 I would give this as a souvenir. 00:29:02.403 --> 00:29:03.333 I love this thing. 00:29:03.873 --> 00:29:04.863 Yeah, absolutely. 00:29:05.042 --> 00:29:05.363 Yeah. 00:29:05.363 --> 00:29:08.573 So, this has been around for several years. 00:29:08.573 --> 00:29:12.153 This, Imari Cup, one Cup project, and. 00:29:12.153 --> 00:29:21.107 I think I bought one of these in Japan years ago, just out of pure curiosity, but I don't remember which one I bought. 00:29:21.107 --> 00:29:25.698 I don't remember what happened to the cup, but it is so wonderful that it's now coming to the states. 00:29:25.698 --> 00:29:30.228 Like that's the big difference is that these cups are now being exported to the us. 00:29:30.228 --> 00:29:32.387 You can, uh, buy them here now and. 00:29:32.387 --> 00:29:42.857 The description here says that when you're done drinking, you could use the cup as a vase or a pen holder. 00:29:44.559 --> 00:29:49.450 I mean, I plan to use this as a cup to drink sake out of when I'm done drinking sake out of this, 00:29:49.525 --> 00:29:50.515 Yeah, 00:29:50.710 --> 00:29:52.750 uh, because I think it's a really nice cup. 00:29:52.750 --> 00:29:57.910 Uh, but yes, I guess it could also be a pen holder if you were so inclined. 00:29:58.494 --> 00:29:58.555 yeah. 00:29:58.555 --> 00:29:59.065 Yep. 00:29:59.065 --> 00:30:02.575 I went through a phase where I collected one cups. 00:30:03.220 --> 00:30:03.700 Me too. 00:30:04.285 --> 00:30:05.934 Yeah, I, I think everyone does. 00:30:05.934 --> 00:30:07.585 I mean, they're so, they can be so cute. 00:30:07.585 --> 00:30:08.095 Right. 00:30:08.319 --> 00:30:15.910 And then you come up, you come to this place where you have way too many you realize you're not using them for anything except maybe decoration. 00:30:15.910 --> 00:30:20.785 And then at that point you still have too

much for decoration and you need to make some decisions. 00:30:22.119 --> 00:30:41.862 Yes, I did a purge a few years back and I kept some sentimental one cups and I have, I do use a one cup as a pen holder on my desk, but it is the original hakkaisan, the old school Hakkaisan futsushu. 00:30:41.862 --> 00:30:45.797 One cup that they made years ago. 00:30:45.932 --> 00:30:46.531 Yeah. 00:30:47.027 --> 00:30:54.497 They've since redesigned it and changed it, but I have one of the original ones from almost 20 years ago that is the old school design. 00:30:54.497 --> 00:30:59.507 And just as a nod to my connection to hakkaisan, I have that as my pen holder on my desk. 00:30:59.507 --> 00:31:07.247 And then in my China cabinet, I have some one cups that I are just too cute to give away. 00:31:07.247 --> 00:31:08.176 Too 00:31:08.432 --> 00:31:09.271 I understand. 00:31:09.271 --> 00:31:09.961 I understand. 00:31:11.442 --> 00:31:13.092 There's some really cute ones out there. 00:31:13.451 --> 00:31:17.112 So will this one dethrone your Hakkaisan cup as the new pen holder? 00:31:18.082 --> 00:31:20.152 I don't think I'm gonna turn this into a pen holder. 00:31:20.152 --> 00:31:20.632 I'm with you. 00:31:20.632 --> 00:31:30.592 I wanna, I wanna use this to drink out of from time to time, and I love that it has the little lid, but you're right, the lid is not watertight. 00:31:30.592 --> 00:31:33.172 So this is just, this is just a gentle. 00:31:33.172 --> 00:31:34.467 Covering. 00:31:34.467 --> 00:31:39.477 But if you're keeping something chilled in the fridge and it's not gonna be jostled around, it's perfect. 00:31:39.477 --> 00:31:44.307 And, this is great, but do you know what the problem is? 00:31:44.307 --> 00:31:47.547 Is that now I want to collect all five. 00:31:47.547 --> 00:31:50.636 So this is a problem. 00:31:50.741 --> 00:31:51.071 See? 00:31:51.071 --> 00:31:51.311 Yeah. 00:31:51.311 --> 00:31:52.902 This is, this is where the issue lies. 00:31:52.902 --> 00:31:55.122 You see, you've, look what happened. 00:31:55.122 --> 00:31:58.182 You got you hand on one cup and you're already like, I need 'em all. 00:31:58.797 --> 00:31:59.096 Yeah. 00:31:59.561 --> 00:32:05.021 So we are very fortunate that this is actually not a gotcha, because then you would've bought like 25. 00:32:06.317 --> 00:32:07.457 This is a gotcha moment. 00:32:07.846 --> 00:32:09.886 Yes, the definitely gotcha moment. 00:32:09.886 --> 00:32:11.782 Wonderful. 00:32:12.140 --> 00:32:13.849 John, do you feel a little elegant? 00:32:13.849 --> 00:32:14.930 Do you feel Bonita? 00:32:16.325 --> 00:32:21.275 I do actually, and I have to say like, you know, uh, I still don't feel funky. 00:32:21.275 --> 00:32:22.115 I do not. 00:32:22.525 --> 00:32:22.815 Okay. 00:32:22.815 --> 00:32:23.575 Okay. 00:32:23.644 --> 00:32:29.525 stand, my ground and say, this is maybe not funky, but honestly, the sake ended up being the funkiest thing with that high acidity. 00:32:29.525 --> 00:32:30.724 It was really interesting and fun. 00:32:31.865 --> 00:32:40.714 Yeah, maybe this could be a, uh, secret, underground, funky sake episode, parading as a funky packaging. 00:32:40.835 --> 00:32:41.045 us. 00:32:41.045 --> 00:32:42.005 We had no idea. 00:32:42.005 --> 00:32:50.795 My favorite thing is when we, I love when we have the sakes, and neither of us have tasted them before and we're like, whoa, what the hell this is? 00:32:50.795 --> 00:32:51.755 It's always a lot of fun. 00:32:52.910 --> 00:32:53.450 Yeah. 00:32:53.450 --> 00:33:01.660 Well, uh, just one last reminder to all our listeners is that if you've been listening to us talk about these designs, be sure to check out our show notes. 00:33:01.660 --> 00:33:06.920 We'll have beautiful photos of all the designs and, you can check these out for yourself. 00:33:06.920 --> 00:33:09.109 'cause a picture is worth a thousand words. 00:33:09.109 --> 00:33:11.119 John, it has been. 00:33:11.210 --> 00:33:12.815 think we said a thousand words, so that's good. 00:33:16.234 --> 00:33:24.875 Well, John, it's been great to taste with you and I am so happy to try a sake that both you and I have never had before. 00:33:24.875 --> 00:33:28.035 Makes for very fun and exciting tasting. 00:33:28.035 --> 00:33:35.174 And, uh, this was just great and I really think this packaging is gonna be very successful here in the States. 00:33:35.174 --> 00:33:37.065 And I hope all our listeners check it out. 00:33:37.065 --> 00:33:45.500 I wanna, Say thank you to all of our listeners and especially our special community on Patreon. 00:33:45.500 --> 00:33:52.760 If you're enjoying Sake Revolution and you'd like to support this podcast, the best way to do that is join us on Patreon. 00:33:52.760 --> 00:34:03.230 You can visit patreon.com/sake revolution to learn about supporting our show and joining our monthly live happy hour, which is so much fun. 00:34:03.590 --> 00:34:04.250 It is. 00:34:04.865 --> 00:34:06.215 Yes, so please. 00:34:06.215 --> 00:34:06.965 Yeah. 00:34:06.965 --> 00:34:09.755 So please check it out and we hope you'll join our community. 00:34:10.610 --> 00:34:11.121 Yes. 00:34:11.121 --> 00:34:12.920 And, we want to hear from you. 00:34:12.920 --> 00:34:18.791 So you can contact us over at feedback@sakerevolution.com and give us that feedback directly. 00:34:18.791 --> 00:34:21.490 You can also get us on social media. 00:34:21.490 --> 00:34:27.530 Tim will happily take your, your dms, uh, over on, uh, Instagram and other platforms. 00:34:27.530 --> 00:34:30.981 So I hope everybody's got a, a cup handy. 00:34:30.981 --> 00:34:38.500 so until next time, please remember to keep drinking sake and Kanpai.