It's no secret that I love sake (and just a little bev overall), but maybe to those who don't know me - I'm also very passionate about music.
I'm excited to share my series: The Beverage Diary - Plugged In where I pair beverages with albums/songs. What motivates me to make my pairing? When we think about pairing food and beverage there are so many different elements that get taken into consideration. Things like:
- Do the flavor profiles of the drink and food coincide
- Will the beverage bring something out in the dish?
- Perhaps the beverage will mask something like fishiness or help subdue spiciness
Countless ways to think about how the sip tastes on our tongue and smells on the nose with the complexities of food. Music is different of course, we can't taste it necessarily but we can feel it. The energy of the song, the way it makes you feel, the sound of the backing vocals, the cadence of the artist's voice - the overall vibe of the track or album helps curate our moods.
For my first pairing I'm excited to be sipping on Harushika "Sakura" Junmai by Imanishi Seibee Shoten Brewery out of Nara Prefecture, specifically, in the Kinki region. This is a rich and sweet sake that has a beautiful balance between sweetness and umami. That balance of sweetness and umami is approachable and harmonious. This sake pairs wonderfully with "Friends" an album by Elton John released in 1971 as the OST for the film "Friends". The album is melodic, classic Elton John piano elements, and evokes an air of bittersweet feelings that help you reflect. The two pair wonderfully together as the gentle sweetness, and mild creamy mouth feel of the sake, pair with Elton's smooth vocals.
I'm so excited to share even more sips and sounds with you all! For now, pull this album up and give it a listen while you sip on this beautiful Sakura sake perfect for early springtime.