Japan has always been ahead of the bell curve when it comes to pre-packaged instant food. Instant noodles like cup ramen was invented in Japan by Nissin Foods in 1958. Food giant Ajinomoto was founded in 1909 after they patented MSG, which is used in all manner of processed foods ranging from bouillon cubes, canned goods to salad dressings. Glico (of Pocky fame) is now marketing single serving curry sauce travel packs among its many other instant creations. Other peers have figured out how to make packets of powdered, instant miso soup, vacuum packs of congee (or okayu, as the Japanese call it), instant sushi mixes, bricks of beef stew roux and so much more.The latest marvel of invention to come out of Japan is the freeze dried packet of instant amazake (甘酒) from the clever folks at Morinaga. Wikipedia will tell you that amazake is "a traditional sweet, low-alcoholic Japanese drink made from fermented rice". The old school method of making this lovely beverage requires cooking rice, cooling it down, and adding some kōji, which is the same beneficial mold added to rice to make sake. The alcohol content in amazake is generally so low that it is a family-friendly drink. But there are definite similarities in appearance, aroma and taste between amazake and its step-sister, the stronger nigorizake (which is an unfiltered sake which acquires its cloudy appearance from rice sediments).
I gave the instant amazake a whirl and was pleasantly surprised. The freeze-dried mix looks like a brittle block of Styrofoam when you pull it out of its wrapper. Boiled or cold water may be added to it; I opted for heat. The block immediately dissolved into a milky white liquid with small, soft grains of rice floating at the top. The sake aroma was unmistakable -- sweet and inviting. It went down very smoothly, helped by occasional stirs of the spoon to keep the rice grains from settling at the bottom. I used to ridicule the Japanese (especially since I am one) for coming up with such innovations to cater to their overall laziness. After sampling this beauty (and Morinaga's other amazing instant drinks like oshiruko, matcha adzuki, and lemon ginger brew) I really can't complain. There's no better drink to enjoy on a chilly winter evening.
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