Tasty, Easy, and Healthy: What Is Amazake?

What is amazake? Amazake literally means “sweet sake” in English. It is a sweet, traditional Japanese beverage. The earliest forms of amazake date back over one thousand years.

Thick and white, amazake is made with rice and water then fermented with the Aspergillus oryzae fungus. Once completely fermented, amazake looks like thin rice pudding before manufacturers puree it. Then the locals enjoy it as a drink.

Amazake has been recognized as an important health food for hundreds of years. Amazake delivers in B-vitamins and amino acids in a cup. Because it is fermented, amazake is easily digested and also improves gut health. It is famously known as “the drinkable IV.” Unlike most other drinks, amazake naturally includes fiber as well as vitamins and minerals.

Sweet and creamy, amazake is also inexpensive. This means that it goes down easy and frequently. Amazake is more likely to become a habit that Japanese people pick up at a young age. More tea and amazake means less soda and juice. That’s always good news.

Finally, because amazake is sweet and healthy, it makes an excellent sugar substitute. Many Japanese households use it for any recipe that requires sugar. This includes dishes such as miso soup, curry and even pasta sauce.

One awesome, new recipe is the...

Since ancient times, amazake was served warm and enjoyed as a winter treat but for the past few hundred years it has become more popular throughout the year. Hot or cold, amazake hydrates the drinker. Staying hydrated is just as important in the winter as it is in the summer.

Hot and humid, summer in Japan is brutal. The amazake summer smoothie is a new beverage that everyone here is talking about. It consists of only three ingredients: amazake, yogurt and banana. These ingredients are cheap, tasty and available all over Japan.

This smoothie energizes the locals and keeps them cool. It includes vitamins and minerals as well as protein and fiber.

How do you make it? First get the ingredients.

The amazake makes this smoothie sweet. The yogurt gives it a slightly sour taste. Finally, the banana makes the mixture creamy.

The amazake summer smoothie has a sweet, creamy taste but Westerners who were raised on high-fructose corn syrup might find it mild. Either way, this summer beverage goes well with fruit. Think seasonal summer fruits such as peaches, strawberries or melons.

It's delicious, healthy and hydrating. A cold amazake summer smoothie with fruit makes a perfect afternoon snack during the hottest time of day.

Once you've tried it, cast your vote for the amazake summer smoothie:

• No blender? No problem! Put everything in a cup and stir it with a spoon. Then add chopped banana. Too easy!
• Experiment with the amazake-yogurt-banana ratio for the perfect taste and texture
• If this recipe gets boring feel free to add spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg
• But don't go overboard when adding your own ingredients to this recipe. Its simplicity is the whole point.
• If you're looking for a healthy sugar substitute or know someone who is, share the word about amazake!
• You can make your own amazake. Take a look at the video below