【Reading】ぬるかん

【English Name】Nurukan (Lukewarm Heated Sake)

Nurukan refers to a way of drinking sake (Japanese rice wine) warmed to about 40°C. Warmed sake (kanzake) has names for each temperature range, classified in detail from lower to higher: hinata-kan (about 30°C), hitohada-kan (about 35°C), nuru-kan (about 40°C), jo-kan (about 45°C), atsu-kan (about 50°C), and tobikiri-kan (55–60°C).

The characteristic of nuru-kan is that warmth spreads gently when held in the mouth, drawing out the soft rice-derived aroma and umami. Because flavors that are hard to perceive in cold or room-temperature sake appear, it is considered a temperature range that lets you enjoy the taste of sake more deeply.

The usual method of preparation is a hot-water bath (yusen): immersing the tokkuri (sake flask) in water just before boiling for about two to three minutes is a well-known technique. Covering the mouth of the tokkuri with plastic wrap helps suppress the loss of aroma and alcohol. When using a microwave, a guideline is about 50 seconds per go (one cup) at 500W, shaking it partway through to even out the temperature.

In terms of pairing with sushi, it goes well with delicately flavored toppings such as white-fleshed fish and shellfish, and is known as a temperature range that gently complements while highlighting the umami of the ingredients. Because it is close to body temperature, it places little burden on the stomach and is favored as a sake to drink with meals.