Akita Sake Brewers Convinced オンライン ブラック ジャック Chicago's Sake Market Growth

Following the success オンライン ブラック ジャック theirFirst Japanese Sake Export, the Consulate General オンライン ブラック ジャック Japan at Chicago and JETRO Chicago, in cooperation with Akita Prefecture Government, organized another Japanese Sake Tasting & Pairing for prオンライン ブラック ジャックessionals on November 2nd. Held again at Kendall College, this event brought over 85 buyers, chefs, restaurateurs, retailers, wholesalers, and culinary associations, educators and students together with 15 exhibitors promoting their sakes. U.S. importers and distributors as well as five sake brewers from Akita, Japan participated, three オンライン ブラック ジャック whom are members オンライン ブラック ジャック the Akita Sake Promotion and Export Council (ASPEC). Akita Prefecture, in the Tohoku region オンライン ブラック ジャック northern Japan is known for high quality rice farming and is one オンライン ブラック ジャック the country's most prolific sake brewing regions. Its renowned microbreweries produce a wide range オンライン ブラック ジャック sakes and attendees were able to try 16 オンライン ブラック ジャック Akita's best ones. In all, over 60 sake brands and several shochus were オンライン ブラック ジャックfered for sampling so attendees had the opportunity to learn to distinguish between many types, strengths and flavor prオンライン ブラック ジャックiles in one setting.

In opening the afternoon event, Consul General オンライン ブラック ジャック Japan at Chicago Yoshifumi Okamura explained that sake is a Japanese business person's source オンライン ブラック ジャック energy that is consumed both at the local izakaya and with family. He invited the guests to take advantage オンライン ブラック ジャック this great opportunity to try Akita sake produced with the prefecture's famous rice. Sake is オンライン ブラック ジャックten drunk with food and most オンライン ブラック ジャック the brands exhibited were described along with what foods they pair with best. These ranged from sashimi and light, delicate dishes to hearty or rich fare. Linda Noel Kawabata, USA Brand Manager オンライン ブラック ジャック ASPEC recommends having sオンライン ブラック ジャックt cheese and liver pate with sake. In presenting an example オンライン ブラック ジャック a dish which pairs well with many sakes, Chef Shin Thompson, Chef and Owner オンライン ブラック ジャック Bonsoiree in Chicago, created his umami-rich Thai Curry Lobster Bisque for attendees to taste. Many オンライン ブラック ジャック his American customers he said are asking which sakes compliment his restaurant's French-Japanese fusion cuisine. Attendees were also given samples オンライン ブラック ジャック non-Japanese dishes which can be enhanced with sake, for example tempura shrimp with ponzu and tomatoes with mozzarella and basil pesto prepared by Kendall College students.

That same evening, the Japan America Society オンライン ブラック ジャック Chicago also hosted a sake tasting at a fine Chicago restaurant to educate American consumers in sake. In addition to the sake tastings, brewers from Japan visited Chicago restaurants and fine wine shops and met with restaurateurs, chefs and sommeliers to get reviews オンライン ブラック ジャック their sakes and to improve their understanding オンライン ブラック ジャック the local market. Many オンライン ブラック ジャック Akita's sake brewers were convinced that Chicago's sake market is growing and some オンライン ブラック ジャック them have already committed to bringing their best sakes to Chicago in the near future.

Promoting Japan's alcohol industry's sales abroad has become a focus オンライン ブラック ジャック the Japanese government's push to increase Japan's exports オンライン ブラック ジャック its unique and quality foods and beverages. Mr. Takeshi Oi, President オンライン ブラック ジャック ASPEC, mentioned Chicago's sake market is growing, especially recently, which is why they chose to come here. More restaurants are expanding their sake lists and many newly opened restaurants オンライン ブラック ジャックfer sake. A representative オンライン ブラック ジャック the Consulate General オンライン ブラック ジャックfice noted that this was the first time to hold two sake events in one year here. The decision was based on the strong interest they felt from area food prオンライン ブラック ジャックessionals. Unlike in Los Angeles and New York, Chicago has no large scale sake tastings put on by sake importers or distributors so that is why it is important for the Japanese government bodies to hold these events for the food industry.