Omachi

There are hundreds of varieties of sake rice. The Omachi variety stands out from the crowd, firstly because it is the oldest of all: it was discovered by a farmer in Okayama Prefecture in 1859. He was attracted by the remarkable height of the plants and the size of the kernels.

Omachi is also a pure variety: unlike most of today’s most popular sake rice, it is not the result of cross-breeding or genetic manipulation. Nevertheless, it can be found in the ancestry of many more modern varieties. Its age, purity and long lineage have sometimes earned it the nickname ‘the grandfather of sake rice’.

Omachi produces characteristic sakes: full-bodied and powerful in both aroma and texture, with a clear acidity. These characteristics are always evident, regardless of the range of flavours produced by the brewing techniques and yeasts used. Whether fruity, mineral or rustic, an Omachi rice sake is always evident.

At Epicerie Umai, we love it. That makes us “Omachists”, because that’s what lovers of this venerable variety call themselves. And what about you?