Key facts
- Three Japanese sake breweries are using Taiwanese rice.
- The rice variety is Tainan No. 21, a hybrid of Japanese and Taiwanese rice.
- The sake is intended for export to Taiwan.
- The rice is cultivated in Taiwan's Yilan county.
Three sake breweries in Japan's premier sake-making region, Niigata prefecture, are utilizing Taiwanese-grown rice to craft premium sake for export back to Taiwan. The specific rice variety being used is Tainan No. 21, a hybrid developed from a cross between a Japanese sake-rice variety and a Taiwanese table-rice variety. This rice is cultivated in Taiwan's Yilan county.
Sake has seen a surge in popularity in overseas markets, particularly in Asia, with Taiwan showing a strong affinity for Japanese culture and products. This cultural connection, stemming from historical ties and a shared appreciation for Japanese aesthetics and flavors, makes Taiwan a significant export destination for Japanese sake. The Taiwanese market is characterized by a deep understanding of sake, where Japanese products are valued for their authenticity, often accepted with their original packaging, taste, and names intact.