The origin of rice wine traces back to thousands of years ago and it’s primarily celebrated in China, where it is commonly known as “Cha Gin”.
It’s also one of the world’s oldest fermented beverages — around 5000 years old!
It was originally created by rice farmers as an easy way to get drunk without having to go through the arduous process of distillation.
Rice wine is made from steamed glutinous rice that’s then left to ferment in the sun with either honey, molasses, or sugar.
Rice wine is typically sweetened with sugar, but there are some varieties that contain less sugar content (like rice beer) or more alcohol content (like rice whisky).
What are some good substitutes for rice wine?
If you have a craving for rice wine but don’t want to drink real stuff, here are some of your best options:
- White grape juice
- Cider vinegar
- Sugar syrup
To make them into rice wine, just add them to your rice wine recipe instead of water.
What are the benefits of drinking rice wine?
Rice wine is often used during Chinese New Year celebrations because it’s believed to bring wealth and health.
However, people usually drink it because they enjoy its flavor and not for any special health benefits.
Here are the main reasons why people drink rice wine:
It tastes great
It’s easy to make
You can easily find it everywhere
Many people think it’s healthier than regular alcohol
What are the drawbacks of drinking rice wine?
While rice wine may be healthier than regular alcohol, it still contains lots of calories, carbohydrates, and sugar.
According to Wikipedia, a bottle of rice wine will give you about 200 calories and 16 grams of carbs.
The high sugar content in rice wine isn’t ideal if you’re trying to lose weight.
Also, the fermentation process creates gases, which could cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, and even vomiting.
A common side effect of drinking rice wine too frequently is drunkenness or hangovers.
In addition, some rice wines contain methanol, which is toxic to the liver and can lead to blindness, coma, and death.
How does rice wine compare to other alcoholic beverages?
Rice wine is similar to Japanese sake and Korean soju, both of which are made from rice.
They all taste sweet, are low in alcohol, and are sometimes served with hot food.
However, unlike rice wine, sake and soju are considered to be medicinal drinks.
Sake goes well with fish dishes, while soju is traditionally paired with kimchi, spicy pickled cabbage.
On the other hand, rice wine isn’t very healthy, and it’s hard to pair it with anything since it doesn’t taste good without sugar.
Also, rice wine is very heavy, so you’ll feel tired after drinking it.
This is especially true when you drink it every day, like at work or school.
Alcoholic beverages can only provide energy to your body for a short period of time before you start feeling lethargic.
Therefore, it’s important to drink plenty of water if you’re going to consume alcohol regularly.
What are the different types of rice wine?
Because rice wine is made from steaming and fermenting rice, it comes in many forms including:
- Red rice wine
- Brown rice wine
- Black rice wine
- Green tea rice wine
- Flower tea rice wine
- Mulberry tea rice wine
- Green tea rice wine
- Grapefruit tea rice wine
- Honey rice wine
- Tamarind rice wine
- Pearl tea rice wine
- Pomegranate tea rice wine
Some rice wine is made using other ingredients such as herbs, fruits, and spices.
Some brands are flavored with coffee, mangoes, strawberries, peaches, and lemons, among others.
What is the best way to store rice wine?
Since rice wine is pretty strong, you should keep it out of reach of children and pets.
If you live alone, put it away in a cool dark place where it won’t get exposed to sunlight.
Once you finish drinking all of your rice wine, seal it tightly and put it back in the refrigerator.
Make sure to remove the cap and label the bottle with the date and how much you drank.
How long does rice wine last?
According to Consumer Reports, rice wine lasts up to two years if stored properly.
Of course, the longer you wait to open it, the better quality it will have.
What are some popular brands of rice wine?
Popular brands of rice wine include:
Jiangnan
Lao He Sheng
Zhuangyuan
Xiao Bai
Da Hong Pao
Cha Qing
Zheng Ye Shi
Fenghuang Ji
How To Make Rice Wine
Ingredients
- 1 kg rice
- 1 kg sugar
- 500 grams raisins minced finely
- 5 liter water
- 1/2 tsp yeast granules
Instructions
- Place the rice, sugar and raisins in a large vessel.
- Pour 5 litres of boiling water over them.
- Cover and let it remain lukewarm.
- Stir in the yeast.
- Leave for 3 weeks stirring every day.
- When the bubbles of fermentation stop, strain the wine and leave for a month before using.
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Nutrition
I have a true passion for cooking and experimenting with new ingredients, and I have been creating and perfecting recipes for friends and family for years.
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