What should you drink your SAKE in? Ochoko, Guinomi and Sakazuki
Ochoko, guinomi, and sakazuki; all of these words refer to cups for drinking sake. There are various types of sake cups out there. For now, let’s look at the 3 most common types featured at Potterymarket. They vary in size, shape, and material. Why is this, you might ask? Sake is something to be enjoyed with all five of your senses, and it is said that its taste can change slightly, (and sometimes significantly), depending on the cup you choose. In other words, by selecting different types of sake cup, you may enjoy the same sake without getting tired of it. Each type of cup will bring out different nuances.
How does the size and shape of a sake cup affect the sake itself? Size is sometimes a factor when dealing with temperature. For instance, if cold sake is kept in a normal sake cup for a long time, it will gradually become lukewarm. To avoid this, it’s a good idea to choose a smaller cup and drink the sake while it is cold. Likewise, if you are drinking a hot sake, choosing a smaller cup will ensure that it stays warm until finished. Conversely, if you want to experience the changes of your sake’s taste as it becomes room temperature, select a bigger sake cup. The temperature change of your sake will surely affect its taste, and you can enjoy these changes with a larger sake cup. Your cup’s shape will affect its aroma and taste as well. For example, a cup with a slightly narrowed mouth brings out a rich flavor that is both robust and mellow, yet keeps the aroma mild. On the other hand, a cup shaped like a morning glory flower in bloom allows aromas to easily spread out, allowing you to feel more of the refreshing aspects of sake. When drinking fresh and wonderfully scented sake, a wide-mouthed sake cup like a sakazuki would be good, while drinking sake with a rich and full flavor benefits more from a cup with a tapered mouth like an ochoko or guinomi.
Sake cups here at Potterymarket are mostly pottery and porcelain, but sometimes glass, too. Pottery softens the taste of sake, water, coffee, wine, beer, and anything else! Additionally we love to recommend a pottery cup for the natural elements of sake (rice with water) and pottery (soil from the earth); a perfect expression of nature.
Anything you love will make your sake enjoyable anyway. Choosing a cup should not be stressful, but an additional pleasure. Therefore, please have a good time selecting your cup when it's time for sake.
*1 sakazuki：A Sakazuki can be classified as an ochoko , (or guinomi, depending on its size), but is a little different in shape. It is dish-shaped with a shallow center and a short wide stem for a base. This type of sake cup is used for Japanese-style weddings, New Year’s parties, and other special occasions. In this way, a sakazuki is a more formal style of cup.
*2 ochoko and tokkuri： An Ochoko is often included with a tokkuri in sake sets (see the bottom right picture). A tokkuri is just like a carafe or small bottle for wine. Why are they paired in sets? Ochokos are very small and are perfect for having only a sip or two of sake at a time. A tokkuri is handy, then, to keep more servings of sake next to your ochoko.
You may notice we also have “soba choko” at Potterymarket, and it differs a little from an “ochoko”. A soba choko is a type of ochoko, however, it is used primarily to hold sauce for dipping soba noodles into. Although it is mainly used for soba, people often use it for anything they'd like because it's size and shape make the soba choko very versatile. This has been true since it's use first spread across Japan, and it is still true for today. One of it's many uses is for sipping sake.
*3 guinomi：A guinomi is very similar to an ochoko but it is usually larger. It is a bit frustrating and surprising that there are not precise rules on sizing with guinomis, however, you can be sure that they are larger than ochokos!
Can you see the size difference between the ochoko and guinomi? compare the ratio of the cup sizes to the size of the bottle mouth above.
Although these sake cups are primarily used for drinking sake, we feel that other drinks, (primarily ones that are best sipped), would also be enhanced in them. Some options to try include whiskey, brandy, or shaoxingjiu. It would be well worth it!
