Amazake is a traditional Japanese fermented rice beverage and recently, it has been gaining popularity outside of its native country. The consistency of the product is creamy and soothing, while the flavor is rich and delicious. amazake combines rice and koji cultures which are common in Japan. The fermented rice beverage is naturally sweet and high in fiber, vitamins, and nutrients, as well.
In recent years, amazake has been gaining popularity as an ingredient and by itself in foreign markets. Kyubi Fermentory, for example, has expanded its range of amazake to Whole Foods in Australia. The brand offers two versions of the fermented rice beverage—one is original, consisting of koji brown rice and ginger, and the second one is made with koji black rice quinoa, and activated charcoal. The product is even used in a Chia Seed Amazake Bowl recipe by Welcome Dose which is a specialty coffee shop in Australia.
Image Credit: Facebook @Kyubi_fermentory
What's Driving This Trend
- Rice-based Fermented Beverages
- Opportunity for innovation in creating unique rice-based fermented beverages using different koji cultures and ingredients to cater to diverse markets.
- Healthy Sweet Beverages
- Opportunity to tap into the market for healthy, sweet alternative beverages with high fiber, vitamins, and nutrients.
- Foreign Beverage Popularity
- Opportunity to market traditional foreign beverages to newer audiences in foreign markets.
Who This Affects Most
- Food and Beverage
- Innovation in developing, packaging, and selling rice-based fermented beverage products to diverse markets and consumers.
- Health and Wellness
- Creation of Healthy sweetened alternative beverages with high fiber, vitamins, and nutrients can enhance the growth of this industry.
- Cultural Exchange
- Opportunities to export and market traditional beverages and food products of countries, showcasing cultural exchange in the food industry.
