Think You Know the Difference Beteween Sake, Soju, and Shochu? Find Out Here (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between soju shochu and sake? ›

“In terms of the big picture, soju and shochu are distilled products, while sake, for the most part, is a non-distilled, brewed product,” explains Lee. Japanese sake and shochu are characterized by the addition of koji, a cultivated mold that is used in the brewing process.

Shochu is kinda an artisanal product. The fermentation and distillation process is what gives it its flavour. Soju is more of a standard alcoho-pop that's flavored with artificial fruit flavorings in an industrial setting.

As its name suggests, brown sugar shochu is made from brown sugar, which is sugar cane juice boiled down to mineral-rich solid chunks. On the other hand, rum is usually made from molasses, which is a syrupy byproduct of the sugar crystallization process.

Soju is often compared to vodka, but it has a lower alcohol content and a slightly sweeter taste. Soju typically has an alcohol content of around 16-25%, although some brands can be as high as 45%. This makes it a lower-alcohol alternative to other spirits like vodka, which typically contain around 40% alcohol.

Shochu is a Japanese traditional hard liquor, distilled spirits made from grains and vegetables. The most common base ingredients are sweet potato, barley, rice, buckwheat and sugar cane.

What is the difference between soju and beer? - Quora. Soju is often sweeter while sake is dry in comparison. The biggest difference is how the two are made: Sake is fermented and brewed like beer and soju is distilled like vodka.

Beyond the Buzz: Health Benefits and Alcohol Content

Sake's known for its amino acids, which promote skin health, and its lack of sulfites, which can trigger allergies in some people. Shochu, a distilled spirit, has a higher alcohol content, typically around 25%. It's often lauded for being low in calories and sugar.

In the United States, shochu is a lesser known spirit here but in Japan, it's more popular than sake.

Beer is the most popular alcoholic drink in Japan. Due to taxation issues, several types of beer-like beverages have emerged in recent years, including happoshu and new-genre beer.

When it comes to these Asian alcohol varieties, people are quick to ask one question: is sake or soju healthier? Well, the answer isn't so cut and dry. Sake tends to have a higher alcohol content and is made from fermented rice, which can have various health benefits like antioxidants and amino acids.

What is soju made of? ›

What is soju made from? Soju is usually made from fermented grains, such as wheat, barley and/or rice, but can also be made from other starchy ingredients, like sweet potatoes or tapioca. You can also find soju distilled from corn, Korean plums, grapes, or even pine needles, like Dam Soul Pine soju.

Baijiu is a clear grain alcohol that resembles (in color) other East Asian liquors like South Korea's soju. The main difference between baijiu and these liquors is the former's strength — a typical baijiu might exceed 110 proof (55 percent alcohol content).

Soju is a Korean spirit that is distilled multiple times, while shochu is a Japanese spirit distilled only once. Shochu is highly regulated by the Japanese government to uphold the quality of the distillate.

Sake tends to be sweeter and fruitier than soju. Soju is distilled after fermentation, sake is not. While both soju and sake can be made from rice, sake is made exclusively from rice, while soju usually uses a combination of wheat and rice.

Premium sake is mostly made from sake rice. However, non-premium sake is mostly made from table rice.

Soju has a higher alcohol content compared to sake. Soju ranges from 16.8% – 53% alcohol by volume, while sake is around 16%. As such, soju tends to be a stronger alcohol and is sometimes used in co*cktails and mixed beverages, whereas sake is usually drunk as it is.

Sake. Traditional Korean soju and Japanese sake are similar in that they are both made from rice. While sake continues to use rice and has more of a neutral flavor, soju may be made from other starches and that affects the taste. Soju is often sweeter while sake is dry in comparison.