Namazake
/ˌnɑː.məˈzɑː.keɪ/noun
A type of Japanese sake that has not been pasteurized.
Did you know?Unlike most sake, namazake retains active enzymes and microorganisms after brewing, so it must be refrigerated and can continue changing in flavor after bottling.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Japonic
Proto-Japonic
*nama
“Raw, fresh, or uncooked”
Old Japanese
Japanese
nama
“Raw, fresh, or unprocessed”
Old Japanese
Japanese
sake
“Alcoholic drink, especially fermented rice liquor”
Modern Japanese
Japanese
namazake
“Unpasteurized sake; literally, raw alcoholic drink”
20th Century
English
namazake
“A Japanese sake served without pasteurization”