IS JAPAN COOL? OKINAWA
1. Okinawan “soul spirits” — distilled hard liquor made in Okinawa with (more or less) 30% alcohol.
2. “Reserve” awamori aged more than three years is called kuusu.
3. During distillation, awamori drips into a jar, producing many bubbles. Awa (bubble) and moru/mori (growing mound) give the liquor its name.
4. There are many favorite ways to enjoy awamori — for example, straight up, on the rocks, with water, hot water, carbonated water, etc. Combinations with signature Okinawan agricultural products like shiikwaasaa (Citrus depressa) and turmeric essence are becoming popular, and new awamori-based cocktails are being created, too.
5. Awamori is thought to have originated from Thai rice vodka imported from 14th century China.
Habu-shu: A strong liquor made of habu (Okinawan poisonous snake) blended into awamori. Believed to be an effective nutritional supplement.