Kochuka (aroma perceived in the mouth)

Kochuka (口中香) refers to the aroma perceived when sake is held in the mouth and tasted on the tongue and inside the mouth, as the breath is exhaled through the nose. This aroma deepens the flavor of the sake and enriches the drinking experience. Kochuka is also called fukumika (含み香, "retronasal aroma"), and it allows drinkers to enjoy the complex aromas sensed at the back of the nose while the sake lingers in the mouth. Because kochuka varies with the type of sake, the brewing method, and the rice and water used, it also offers a clue to a sake's individual character.