Hakumai (polished white rice)

Hakumai is polished white rice: brown rice (genmai) that has been milled so that the germ and the outer surface of the grain are removed. During milling, the outer layers and husk are taken off, leaving mainly the starch portion, which gives the rice its white, glossy appearance. Hakumai is extremely important in sake brewing. Because the rice polishing ratio affects the flavor and aroma of the sake, carefully selected polished rice is used especially for high-quality sake. In general, the lower the rice polishing ratio (the degree of milling), the more the rice tends to produce a high-quality, refined sake.