SAKE 101. A FEW HELPFUL TERMS (QUICKLY) DEFINED: Ginjo:

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Norma King
5 years ago
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1 SAKE 1 SAKE 1 A QUICK TUTORIAL OF THE SAKE WORLD Sake is a unique Japanese alcoholic beverage made from fermented, polished rice. The process of making sake is similiar to beer, yet more complex and subtle. Momona only serves what is classified as premium sakes. However premium sakes only amount to about 20% of the entire sake market. SO WHAT S WITH THE POLISHING RATE? Rice grains are polished during the brewing process because the outer layer of a rice kernel contains more fat and protein than the inner portion of the grain. This can produce undesireable flavors and aromas. The more the rice kernel is polished, the more pure starch remains, providing a cleaner and more refined taste. The polishing rate in Japanese is called the Seimaibuai (say-my-boo-eye). So, if the Seimaibuai is 0%, that means 0% of the original rice grain was polished away. A FEW HELPFUL TERMS (QUICKLY) DEFINED: Ginjo: Premium, high quality Junmai: Pure rice sake (no distilled alcohol added) Nigori: Coarsely filtered sake Taru: Aged in cedar barrels Yamahai: Different yeast starter resulting in more wild yeast Honjozo: A small amount of distilled alcohol added. Example: Taru Junmai is a pure rice sake aged in cedar barrels. SAKE DIFFERS BASED UPON: Polishing rate Brewery processes Yeast type and method Variety of rice Regionality Craftsmanship (automated vs. handmade) WHY IS SAKE SO EXPENSIVE? Momona chooses to serve only premium, high-end sake. We love hot sake, but wanted to bring Chico more than the average sake. Just like wine, the better the bottle, the higher the price. Furthermore, the majority of our sakes are imported from Japan, also raising the price. We have tried to narrow down the overwhelmingly expansive list of sakes by handselecting an array that is both fairly priced and provides the highest quality product. We truly hope you enjoy.

2 PAIRINGS HONJOZO / Saiya Brewery Name: Yuri Masa Mune Seimaibuai: 8% Region: Akita Alcohol %: 1 This sake is mellow, rustic and has a firm structure. The nutty and earthy notes are balanced by an underlying fruitiness. Food Pairing: Spicy Ahi Poke JUNMAI / Rihaku Brewery Name: Dance of Discovery Seimaibuai: 8% Region: Shimane Alcohol %: 1.8 Textured and layered, smokey yet sweet, with a cleansing acidity at the end, dry on the finish. Food Pairing: Smoked Kimchi Bao JUNMAI GINJO / Huchu Homare Brewery Name: Joto Seimaibuai: 55% Region: Ibaraki Alcohol %: 15.5 Lush and fruity with notes of succulent peach and musk melon. It finishes crisp and clean. Food Pairing: House Salad YAMAHAI JUNAMI / Tajima Brewery Name: Fuku Chitose Happy Owl Seimaibuai: 0% Region: Fukui Alcohol %: 15.2 This sake has savory aromas of pumpkin and spices with complex earthy flavors. The finish is dry and long lasting. Food Pairing: Chico Noodle PAIRINGS NIGORI / Takara Brewery Name: Sho Chiku Bai Region: USA, California Alcohol %: 15 Bold and sweet. Rich and robust flavors with distinctive rice savor. Food Pairings: Miso Corn Butter TARU JUNMAI / Kiku-Masamune Brewery Region: Hyogo Alcohol %: 15 Dry sake distinguished by the refreshing aroma of Yoshino cedar. Crisp, clean finish. Food Pairing: Mushroom Bao SPARKLING YUZU / Banzai Brewery Name: Bunny Yuzu Region: USA, California Alcohol %: 7 Sparkling sake infused with the yuzu citrus fruit. It has a vibrant aroma that is elegantly sweet and refreshingly tart. Food Pairing: Chilled Yuzu Noodle or Wasabi Salmon Poke JUNMAI / Hakushika Name: Tanuki Region: Hyogo Alcohol %: 1.5 This playful one cup sake honors the beloved Japanese Racoon Dog, Tanuki. This sake is very drinkable, dry and has a light finish. Food Pairing: Pork Belly Bao HONJOZO / Kikusui Name: Funaguchi Alcohol %: 19 This is an unpasteurized, undiluted honjozo with a fruity aroma and full body. Food Pairing: Pan Fried Noodles

MOMONA SAKE COCKTAILS MOMONA HOUSE SAKE THE POG Served in a Masu Cup (5oz) HONJOZO / Yuri Masa Mune 9 PREMIUM SAKE Served in a small bottle (oz) NIGORI / Sho Chiku Bai TARU JUNMAI / Kiku-Masmune

3 MOMONA SAKE COCKTAILS MOMONA HOUSE SAKE THE POG Served in a Masu Cup (5oz) HONJOZO / Yuri Masa Mune 9 PREMIUM SAKE Served in a small bottle (oz) NIGORI / Sho Chiku Bai TARU JUNMAI / Kiku-Masmune SPARKLING YUZU / Banzai Bunny PREMIUM PREMIUM SAKE Junmai, elderflower liqueur, Aloha Passion-Orange-Guava, lemon, mint sprig. TOKYO NEGRONI 7.5 Nigori, Campari, hibiscus green tea, Sculpin IPA, orange peel, dash of orange bitters. GINGER SPICE 7 ORANGE CREAMSICLE Junmai, Bonal, Bundaberg ginger beer, house made pickled ginger, lime, dash of bitters. Served by the glass (oz) or in a large bottle (2oz) JUNMAI / Dance of Discovery 9/50 JUNMAI GINJO / Joto.5/0 YAMAHAI JUNMAI / Fuku Chitose.75/0 Nigori, Triple Sec, orange juice, lychee puree, mint sprig, dash of orange bitters. SAKE SERVED ANOTHER WAY... WINE ONE CUPS (oz) JUNMAI / Hakushika Tanuki HONJOZO / Kikusui Funaguchi FLIGHTS (x2oz) HONJOZO/NIGORI/TARU JUNMAI/JUNMAI GINJO/YAMAHAI HOUSE WINE Glass / 5.5 Carafe / 15.5 Sauvignon Blanc Pinot Grigio Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon

4 BEER 2OZ SAKE BACK WITH ANY BEER 2 WEST COAST BEER SIERRA NEVADA (CHICO, CA) Crystal Wheat (.8%), Pale Ale (5.%), Torpedo (7.2%), Summerfest (5%) 21ST AMMENDMENT (SAN FRANCISCO, CA) El Sully (.8%) BALLAST POINT (SAN DIEGO, CA) Sculpin IPA (7%) TRACK 7 (SACRAMENTO, CA) Panic IPA (7%) OLYMPIA (LOS ANGELES VIA WA STATE) oz Can (.%) PRIMO (HONOLULU, HI) 12oz Can (.%) MODERN TIMES (POINT LOMA, CA) 7 Hoppy Tropical Wheat (5%) GOLDEN STATE CIDER (SEBASTOPOL, CA) 7.5 Mighty Dry (.9%) JAPANESE BĪRU ASAHI (OSAKA, JP) Super Dry(5%) SAPPORO (SAPPORO, JP) Can / Large Bottle (5%) ORION (OKINAWA, JP) Can / Large Bottle (.7%) KIRIN ICHIBAN (YOKOHAMA, JP) Large Bottle (5%) ECHIGO (NIIGATA, JP) Koshihikari Rice Lager, Large (5%) KIUCHI (NAKA, JP) Hitachino White Nest Ale (5.5%), Dai Dai IPA (.2%) YOHO (NAGANO, JP) Wednesday Cat Belgian White (.5%), Tokyo Black Porter (5%).5 /7 BEVERAGES HOUSE ICED GREEN TEA POT OF TEA Oolong, Green, Tumeric-Ginger, Mint or Rooibos SARATOGA SPARKLING WATER COKE OR SPRITE ORIGINAL NEW YORK SELTZER Vanilla or Raspberry FENTIMEN S ROSE LEMONADE 5 BUNDABERG GINGER BEER BREW DR. KOMBUCHA Spiced Apple 5 /7 ALOHA JUICE Passion-Orange-Guava or Lilikoi.5 MR. BROWN ICED COFFEE ERDINGER N/A BEER

5 DRINKS SAKE BEER COCKTAILS WINE BEVERAGES

DRINKS DRINKS SAKE BEER COCKTAILS WINE BEVERAGES SAKE BEER COCKTAILS WINE BEVERAGES

DRINKS DRINKS SAKE BEER COCKTAILS WINE BEVERAGES SAKE BEER COCKTAILS WINE BEVERAGES DRINKS DRINKS SAKE SAKE 1 2 MOMONA SAKE MOMONA HOUSE SAKE Served in a Masu Cup (5oz) HONJOZO / Yuri Masa Mune 9 PREMIUM SAKE Served in a small bottle (10oz) NIGORI / Sho Chiku Bai 12.5 TARU JUNMAI / Kiku-Masmune