米酒於我:飲米酒的藝術
Sake to Me: The Art of Drinking Sake
米酒於我：飲米酒的藝術Sake is a drink that has been made in Japan for thousands of years. All across Japan there are sake breweries, dozens of different brands, and sake festivals. And again, most regions have their own something special to contribute. So just what is sake and why is it so popular?
米酒產於日本，已經有上千年的歷史了。米酒廠遍佈整個日本，有各種不同的品牌以及與米酒有關的節慶。而且大部分地區還有珍品威士忌可供品嚐。那麼米酒究竟是什麼，又爲什麼如此流行呢？When most foreigners think of Japanese sake, they think “rice wine”. However, sake is an alcohol made from rice, but it is not a rice wine. Just like traditionally, vodka is made from potatoes and rum is made from sugar, well, sake, is made from rice.
外國人所認爲的日本酒就是指“米制酒”。然而，米酒是由大米做成的酒精飲料，但它並不是僅由大米制成。就像傳統的，伏特加由土豆製成，朗姆酒由糖製成，米酒由大米制成。
The process to make sake is actually very similar to the process used to make beer. The one special thing about sake, is something quite silly actually. What makes the process of brewing sake so unique, is that as the brewers are making it, they will sing. Yup, sing.
製作米酒的程序和過去製作啤酒的程序非常相似。實際上，有關製作米酒的一個特別之處聽起來似乎有些愚蠢。釀造米酒的獨特之處在於：釀酒者在製作過程中會伴隨着歌唱。對，就是唱歌。By singing in unison, it ensures that the brewing steps are carried out rhythmically and accurately. If you ever get to go on a sake tour, you will witness this unique process, which is really fun!
大家齊聲歌唱可以確保釀造步驟準確而又節奏。如果你有機會對米酒廠進行參觀，你就會目睹這一有趣而又獨特的釀造過程。Drinking sake, like most Japanese things, has an art to you order sake it is usually served in a small carafe like container called a tokkuri, along with small cups called ochoko.
像許多日本其它行爲一樣，喝米酒也很有講究。米酒通常盛放在一個叫“託骨利”的小玻璃容器裏，倒在一種叫“佛手瓜”的茶杯裏飲用。If you’re drinking in Japan, it is typical that the subordinate person always pours for their superiors. Usually this is determined by age, job position, etc.– But don’t fret over trying to figure this out, because, trust me, if you’re already living in Japan, you know what your status rwise just try to keep everyone’s cups full, but never pour for yourself.
在日本喝米酒的習慣通常是晚輩給長輩斟酒。通常這種輩分關係由年齡、工作職位等決定。但是你完全不用爲如何搞清這些關係而擔心，相信我，如果你已經生活在日本，你一定會弄清自己屬於哪個階層的。如果實在搞不清楚就保持每個人的杯子是滿的，唯獨不要爲自己斟酒。After someone has poured for you, take a small sip before putting it down. And remember, even though ochoko are small, they are not shot glasses. REPEAT! They are not shot glasses. So sit back, sip your sake slowly and enjoy it!
如果有人給你倒酒，要嘗一小口後再放下。同時，一定要記住儘管這種圓柱形小茶杯很小，但它並不是小酒杯。切記！它們不是小酒杯。所以，要坐下來，小口喝，慢慢品嚐你的米酒。
