Jul 14 2026
RestaurantsExperience ZuzuJunmai Daiginjo Joto Recipe

Junmai Daiginjo Joto Recipe

Inspired by Experience Zuzu
Time3h
Serves4

'The One with the Clock', Hiroshima, Japan

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Ingredients

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Rice

Fermentation

Filtration

Bottling

Method

Preparation of Rice

  1. 1

    Washing the Rice

    In a large bowl, combine the Junmai Daiginjo rice with 4 cups of water. Gently rinse the rice to remove excess starch. Drain and repeat this process until the water runs clear.

  2. 2

    Soaking the Rice

    After washing, soak the rice in clean water for about 2 hours. This allows the rice to absorb moisture, which is crucial for even cooking.

  3. 3

    Steaming the Rice

    Using a steamer basket, steam the soaked rice for approximately 45 minutes, or until the grains are tender but not mushy.

Fermentation Process

  1. 4

    Introducing Koji

    Once the rice is steamed and cooled to around 30°C (86°F), sprinkle the koji mold evenly over the rice. Mix gently to distribute the koji throughout the rice.

  2. 5

    Preparing the Yeast Starter

    In a separate small bowl, mix the yeast with a bit of the fermentation water (6 cups) to activate it. Allow it to sit for about 15 minutes.

  3. 6

    Starting Fermentation

    In a large fermentation vessel, combine the koji rice, activated yeast, and the remaining fermentation water. Stir well and cover with a clean cloth. Let it ferment at a stable temperature of around 15-20°C (59-68°F) for 2-4 weeks.

Filtration and Bottling

  1. 7

    Filtering the Sake

    After fermentation is complete, pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer lined with activated charcoal to filter out solids.

  2. 8

    Bottling

    Transfer the filtered sake into clean bottles, leaving some space at the top. Seal each bottle with a cork stopper.

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