A myth:
Sake should only be served out of a small wooden box.
Maybe 80 years ago! Those tiny wooden boxes are known as masu and were indeed a very important part of sake’s history, but that was back in the day when the typical brew was rather coarse and quite rough. The cedar tones of the wood acted as a buffer or mellower for some questionable tasting sake – almost along the lines of a masking agent. It took the edge off sweet, gooey, and boozy brews. It also represented a fair pour and you as a consumer knew that you were getting your money’s worth as opposed to a slick trick cup that appears larger than it actually is. But it is very fun to drink out of a square box – no question about that! Especially when they overflow the pour into a saucer to make you feel welcome and as a token of a restaurant’s appreciation for your patronage.
The point of sake is to enjoy it – however you want! There is no right or wrong. Drink out of whatever makes you happy. With that said some premium sakes that are served in a masu tend to lose their special qualities of nuance and gentleness. The subtleties get lost in the wood, as perhaps the subtleties of a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Noir would be lost if served in the same manner. The masu is fun, and it is novel with today’s premium brews, but to get the full function and flavor of a sake, a glass is best!
New Review coming this weekend: Ten Prime Steak & Sushi
Check out the latest on sushi from Japan!
Fukushima and Sushi: Is Raw Fish Safe to Eat? - The Atlantic
