Let's discover the recipe of the ancient Japanese fermented drink, amazake, also excellent as a natural sweetener
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It comes directly from Japan and is an excellent natural alternative to traditional sugar. We are talking about the amazake (or amasake), used in the East since ancient times.
It is a sweet drink obtained from the fermentation of rice and kōji mushroom (Aspergillus oryzae), but also used as a natural sweetener for various types of desserts, as it has a gelatinous consistency.
The origins are ancient, it was already mentioned in a Japanese text dating back to 720, Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan), and during the Edo period (1600–1868) it was served in the summer to prevent fatigue. Let's find out how it is prepared with a few simple ingredients.
Index
Amazake: properties and benefits
Compared to sugar it is less caloric and much easier to digest thanks to the fermentation. 100 gr correspond to about 150 Kcal.
It is also rich in maltose, B vitamins, mineral salts, fiber, folic acid. Also indicated in pregnancy and lactation.
In addition to aiding digestion, it apparently helps strengthen the immune system, fight aging and energize the whole body.
Amazake: the recipe to prepare it
You can buy it in specialized shops or prepare it with a few simple ingredients. Water, rice and of course kōji mushroom, essential for fermentation.
Ingredients
- 150 gr of rice
- 100 gr of fungo koji
- 300 ml of water
Method
- Cook the rice in water and let it cool.
- Pour the hot water over the rice (the recommended temperature is between 55 and 60 degrees), add the kōji mushroom and mix.
- Let the mixture ferment in the heat (more or less at the same temperatures) for at least 6 hours. You can place it in the oven covered with a cloth, so that it is kept at the right temperature.
- After this time, the amazake is ready to be used in the preparation of hot drinks or to sweeten your desserts. If you want, you can also blend it.
Amazake: how to use it in the preparation of smoothies and other drinks
We said that you can use amazake as a natural sweetener or, after adding a little hot water, drink it as it is. If you want, you can also blend the mixture.
Alternatively it is possible blend the amazake with a little soy milk to obtain a drink that is not only tasty, but also very creamy. Good both hot and cold.
The amazake is also great as ingredient for healthy fruit-based smoothies. Just blend it with your favorite fruit.
As regards the retention times, you can keep it in the fridge for about 7-10 days. Or 1 month in the freezer.
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SOURCES: masterclass
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- Natural sweeteners: 10 valid alternatives to white sugar
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