PRODUCTION AND CHARACTERISTICS OF RED RICE SAKE

Abstract

Red rice sake was efficiently produced from unpolished red rice without cooking by use of rice koji prepared with shochu koji mold, Aspergillus kawachii, as saccharifying agent. A comparative study was made of red rice sake made with rice koji and red rice wine made with a preparation of glucoamylase known as Sumizyme. Red rice sake contained about 13% ethanol and its acidity was 8.6. Large amounts of volatile compounds, such as isobutyl alcohol and ethyl acetate, were found in the red rice sake. The red color of the red rice sake was more intense than that of the red rice wine. The quality of red rice sake was better than that of red rice wine, as assessed by gas chromatography, spectrophotometric analysis and organoleptic testing. In accordance with the traditional method for sake brewing, red rice, rice koji and tap water were added to the initial mash. The red color of the red rice sake made with these additions was more intense than that of red rice sake made without these additions. The rice wine was somewhat improved by these additions, as assessed by organoleptic testing. The body of the resultant rice wine was fortified with dextrin and its mild characteristics were derived from sugar and dextrin. 1994 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling