Ao chu – Uncommon Japanese Spirit drink from Aogashima

Ao chu, a uncommon sort of shochu from the small volcanic island of Aogashima, is greater than only a drink; it’s a style of a distant tradition and a practice handed down by generations. This text will let you know about what makes this spirit particular, the place it comes from, and the place you possibly can expertise it for your self.

What’s Ao chu?

Ao chu (青酎) is a particular form of distilled spirit, a sort of shochu, made solely on the small, distant island of Aogashima, situated south of Tokyo. What units it aside is that locals made it by hand in very small batches by the islanders themselves. The identify “Ao chu” actually means “blue shochu,” however the identify truly comes from the island’s identify, Aogashima. Not like most industrial shochu, Ao chu makes use of pure koji mildew and yeast from the island’s distinctive atmosphere.

The primary elements are barley and candy potatoes, giving it a strong, earthy, and wealthy taste. The style is commonly described as deep and sophisticated, with hints of sweetness and a sure energy that’s distinctive to this handmade spirit.

Historical past

The historical past of Ao chu is someway associated to the remoted nature of Aogashima. Believed that the tactic for making this spirit delivered to the island by exiles from the Edo interval, who had been despatched there and located a technique to create their very own liquor. The manufacturing of Ao chu has been a long-standing custom handed down from guardian to youngster, and it was initially made not on the market however for the island’s individuals to get pleasure from and to share. It was additionally common as a “love liquor,” as ladies typically made this for males as a logo of affection.

At present, small group of grasp distillers nonetheless make this spirit, every with their very own distinctive model, which is why the style of Ao chu can differ barely from one bottle to the following. The restricted manufacturing and conventional strategies make it a really particular and sought-after drink.

Reference: Aogashima Shuzo

Experiencing Ao chu in Japan

Aogashima-ya (青ヶ島屋)

Whereas Ao chu is troublesome to seek out outdoors of Aogashima, there’s one particular place in Tokyo that gives an opportunity to attempt it. Aogashima-ya (青ヶ島屋). This restaurant focuses on dishes and drinks from the Izu Islands, with a specific deal with Aogashima. It’s well-known as one of many few locations in Tokyo the place you possibly can attempt numerous sorts of Ao chu. Moreover, it gives a style of the island’s tradition with out the lengthy journey.

Tackle: 1-28-11 Tsurumaki, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo
Cellphone Quantity: 03-3428-3567
Hours: Weekdays 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM, 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM. Weekends 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM. Closed on Sundays and holidays
Web site: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1304/A130401/13184156/

Conclusion

Ao chu is a novel and flavorful spirit that represents the wealthy tradition and custom of the distant island of Aogashima. Along with this, its sturdy, earthy style and historical past as a beloved, handmade beverage make it a really one-of-a-kind expertise. From its historical origins to its modern-day manufacturing, each bottle tells a narrative of custom and group. So, for many who admire distinctive spirits, Ao chu gives a style of one thing really particular and uncommon.

In the event you benefit from the highly effective and distinctive flavors of Ao chu, you may also prefer to attempt different comparable Japanese distilled spirits. These embrace imo shochu (candy potato shochu), which shares the identical base ingredient and infrequently has an earthy style, and kokuto shochu (brown sugar shochu), which has a deep, rum-like sweetness. One other one to contemplate is awamori, a novel rice spirit from Okinawa that can be wealthy in historical past and distinct in taste. Attempting these drinks can present a deeper appreciation for the number of Japanese spirits.