Orizake (cloudy sake)

Orizake (滓酒; the source text gives the reading as "kasuzake") is the cloudy white sake that remains after kasubiki, a step in the sake-making process. Kasubiki is the removal of sake lees (sake kasu) from the sake after fermentation. Components that have evaporated or separated from the lees remain in the sake during this process, producing a sake with a distinctive flavor and aroma. Compared with ordinary sake, orizake is cloudier and sweeter, and offers a distinctive taste. It is rarely commercialized, however, and is often handled only by local sake breweries. Because of these characteristics, orizake is regarded as a rare find among sake enthusiasts.