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FAQ

 

Why can't you ship sake to my state?

We have Prohibition Era laws in the United States that stipulate that certain states do NOT accept the interstate commerce of alcoholic beverages. Hopefully, these laws will eventually come off of the books, but for now we must honor them.

 

Do you carry sakes from breweries in the United States?

Yes! There are many craft breweries making sake in US today.

 

How many different kinds of sake do you carry?

At the moment we carry over 300 different products but we have access to many more which can special ordered. Is this too many to choose from? Not a chance! Our philosophy is that every person has had a perfect sake made for them, and it is our goal for you two to meet!

 

What do you mean by "freshest" sake?

Sake degrades over time, and thus quality and flavor deteriorates. Sake is perishable. And sadly, we have been duped into drinking sake that was past its prime, and it tastes bad! That is why we emphasize the fact that True Sake carries the freshest as well as largest selection outside of Japan. 

  

What is sake? How is it made?

Sake is a alcohol brewed from rice. It is a fermented rice beverage that had its origins in China, made to higher degree of purity in Japan, and is now fermented all over the world. 

 

I know nothing about sake. Where do I even start?

We know this isn't true, because most customers can in fact speak to the sake that they have had - good and bad - hot and room temperature - expensive and cheap! A good start is to explore the Sake Wisdom section,  check the Sake Starter selection. Or you can attend one of our sake events and tastings around the Bay Area. It is never too late to join this 1000 year-old fad. Start your own sake adventure today!

 

I thought sake is supposed to be served hot. Why do you recommend drinking sake slightly chilled or at room temperature?

Just like sake comes in all types of categories, styles, and makes. It can be consumed at many different temperature points. Sake by far has the broadest temperature spectrum in all of the booze world. It can be served frozen and in slushy form all the way to warm, hot, and even lava temperature. The point is to explore the temperature of sake as you would explore the glassware or vessels to drink sake from. There are some generalities in play in the temperature game. Typically the higher end sake should be enjoyed chilled to white wine temperatures. Likewise the Ginjo category should be enjoyed cold. The Junmai and Honjozo category are good for chilled, but also room temperature and warmed. Sparkling sake, Nama sake, Nigori sake should always be served chilled. Warming sake is an adventure, and sadly we are used to bad sake being warmed up. There are amazing sake to warm and this category is so much fun to explore. Never be afraid to warm Futushu, Honjozo, Jumnai and some Ginjo sake. Warm and hot sake can be awesome, and we know so many brews that take a liking to being warmed. Just ask!