🥃 Imo shōchū
Japanese single-distilled shōchū made from sweet potato and koji, up to 45% ABV; main regions are Kagoshima and southern Miyazaki; protected name ‘Satsuma’.
Imo shōchū is a Japanese shōchū made from sweet potato, or satsuma-imo. It is single-distilled: it is distilled in a pot still, and its strength reaches up to 45% ABV. The sweet potato gives the drink a slightly sweet, floral aroma. According to Japan’s National Tax Agency, the main production regions are Kagoshima Prefecture and southern Miyazaki Prefecture.
How it is made. First, koji, a mould that breaks down starch, is grown on rice, and sometimes on the sweet potato itself; for imo shōchū black or white koji is usually used. The koji ferments with water, then the steamed, crushed sweet potato is added. This is the second stage of the mash. The mash is distilled in a pot still.
Distillation. Most imo shōchū is distilled at normal pressure, so the taste is rich; there are lighter versions made by vacuum distillation. The word 本格焼酎 (honkaku) on a label means single distillation of raw materials permitted by law.
Satsuma. The sweet potato reached Satsuma, today’s Kagoshima, from the Ryukyu Islands in the 17th century, hence the Japanese name satsuma-imo. The protected name ‘Satsuma’ (since 2005) requires sweet potato from Kagoshima, except Amami, rice koji or Kagoshima sweet potato koji, local water, and fermentation, distillation and bottling in the prefecture.
Why this matters to you. On the label look for 芋焼酎 (imo shōchū); 薩摩 (Satsuma) guarantees Kagoshima sweet potato. Strength varies, up to 45% ABV, and it is always stated. Diluting with water or ice does not reduce the amount of alcohol in the glass. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe amount of alcohol.
Facts
| Raw material | sweet potato (satsuma-imo), koji from rice or sweet potato, water |
|---|---|
| Distillation method | single, in a pot still; mostly at normal pressure |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | up to 45% ABV |
| Legal basis | Japan’s Liquor Tax Act No. 6 (1953); protected name ‘Satsuma’ (NTA standard, amended 27.02.2018) |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Imo shōchū → kind of → 🍶 Asian spirit traditions → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Next step
- 🍷 Alcoholic fermentation
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Traditions
- 🧑🤝🧑 Japanese
- Part of
- 🥃 Shochu, 🍶 Asian spirit traditions
- Related to
- 🌍 East Asia
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Awamori
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that imo shōchū is made from potatoes?
Not from ordinary potatoes. The raw material is sweet potato, or satsuma-imo, together with koji and water.
What is the strength of imo shōchū?
As single-distilled shōchū, up to 45% ABV. The exact strength is stated on the label.
What does ‘Satsuma’ on the bottle mean?
It is a protected name: sweet potato from Kagoshima (except Amami), koji from rice or Kagoshima sweet potato, local water, and fermentation, distillation and bottling in the prefecture.
Where is imo shōchū made?
The main regions, according to Japan’s National Tax Agency, are Kagoshima and southern Miyazaki Prefecture.
What is koji?
A mould grown on rice or sweet potato. Its enzymes break starch down into sugars, which then ferment.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Alcoholic fermentation — Yeast eats the sugar in the must and releases alcohol and carbon dioxide.
- 🌍 East Asia — A region in the east of Asia — China, Japan and Korea: milk became an everyday food only in the 20th century, but there are old traditions such as rushan and so; China ranks third in the world for vineyard area.
- 🥃 Awamori — Okinawan distillate from rice koji of black mold; GI Ryukyu since 1995; kusu is aged 3 years or more in jars and bottles.
- 🍷 Drunk driving — Never drive after drinking wine: alcohol slows your reactions.
Similar
🥃 Shochu · 🥃 Andong soju · 🥃 Japanese whisky · 🥃 Lao Khao · 🥃 Arak Bali · 🥃 Soju
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- NTA, Tokyo Regional Taxation Bureau: 焼酎に関するもの — 芋焼酎: sweet potato as main raw material; main areas Kagoshima and southern Miyazaki; mostly atmospheric distillation, also lighter reduced-pressure types
- NTA: production standard of GI Satsuma (薩摩), amended 27.02.2018 — Kagoshima sweet potatoes (excl. Amami), koji from rice or Kagoshima sweet potato, Kagoshima water, single distillation, storage and bottling in Kagoshima; sweet potato brought from Ryukyu in the 17th century
- National Tax Agency of Japan: list of geographical indications for liquor (酒類の地理的表示一覧)
- Liquor Tax Act of Japan (酒税法, Act No. 6 of 1953), Art. 3 item 10: single-distillation shochu up to 45 % vol. (e-Gov)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)