Amazake
Preserved cooking illustration

Amazake

Amazake

Amazake

Amazake has a creamy, thick consistency with a naturally sweet flavor. It can be served either chilled or hot. This is a great recipe to try when you're just getting started with koji because it shows off its magical powers in under 12 hours!

INGREDIENTS

3-4 cups freshly cooked brown or white rice

1 cup rice koji

TOOLS

Thermometer

Incubation chamber (like our Brød & Taylor Proofer) to maintain temperature between 120 F - 140 F.

Allow your freshly cooked rice to cool to 140 F. Stir in the rice koji, making sure to mix until well combined. Incubate between 120 - 140 F (using our Brød and Taylor proofer we recommend 120 F on the proofer setting). Stir the amazake mixture every couple of hours and start tasting it around 6 hours. With fresh koji and warmer temperatures, it will ferment faster and can take as little as 6 hours or up to 12 hours. Continue tasting the amazake and remove it from heat once it's reached your desired level of sweetness and the texture has started to liquify.

We prefer to keep the amazake un-pasteurized in the fridge where it will last for 1-2 months, but if you'd like it to last longer you can heat it in a saucepan and simmer for 3-5 minutes to pasteurize it.

USE

Try blending the finished amazake with water for a sweetened milk alternative for a delicious beverage (warm or cold). Try using it as a sweetener replacement in baked goods. The general rule of thumb is to use 1/4 cup of thick amazake for each tablespoon of sweetener in the recipe. If you are replacing a dried sweetener like cane sugar, don't forget to remove about 3 tablespoons of liquid from the recipe to account for the extra moisture.

Recipe and photos by Julia Street.

Please use these recipes and information as guidance for your home fermenting endeavors. This is not medical advice nor should it replace the advice of a health care professional. Fermented foods often have a sour but clean aroma and flavor. Never consume anything that smells or tastes unpleasant. Preserved does not take responsibility for your own success and/or failures in fermentation. We have made our best effort to share up-to-date and safe techniques. However, the risks of cooking and fermenting are inherent. You are responsible for the results of your efforts and the safety of your own food in your particular location and kitchen. Thank you for your interest in preserving a closer connection to your food.