Sake is Japan’s signature drink, and while it has been enjoyed for centuries overseas, more people in Arizona are discovering how simple and rewarding it is to enjoy at home or with a fine meal. At its core, sake is made from rice, water, koji, which is a mold used for fermentation, and yeast. Yet the taste can vary dramatically depending on the brewing style.

One of the easiest ways to navigate sake is by checking the Sake Meter Value, or SMV. This number measures sweetness or dryness. A negative SMV means sweeter, while a positive SMV means drier. Once you know this, choosing a bottle becomes much less intimidating.

Kasai’s sake list has something for every palate. For crisp, clean flavors, Junmai Hakutsuru.

Organic offers hints of citrus and earth with a dry SMV of +5. For a richer s

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