Roomsake could be sold for $ 500,000 per glass

Roomsake could be sold for $ 500,000 per glass

A Japanese sake manufacturer is entering new territory: space.

The exciting sake plan from Asahi Shuzo

Asahi Shuzo, the company behind the popular Sake brand Dassai, plans to transport ingredients for Sake to the International Space Station (ISS) in order to ferment a very special sake. If everything works, a 100 ml bottle for 100 million yen, which corresponds to around $ 653,000, is offered for sale. This makes a normal glass of 80 ml a very expensive drink.

The challenge of fermentation in space

"There is no guarantee for 100%success in the fermentation tests," explains Souya Uetsuki, who is responsible for the project at Asahi Shuzo. He emphasizes that the gravity differences could influence the heat transfer to liquids, which would lead to another fermentation process in space than on earth.

Scientific support and space technology

The company paid the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) for access to the Kibo experiment module, part of the ISS, where tests can be carried out in a "special microgravity". Jaxa explained that you will not make any further comments on this privately financed project.

sake and its cultural meaning

sake is made from Japanese rice, water, yeast and koji (a type of mold). The traditional production requires about two months and includes precise steps such as damping, stirring and fermenting. The drink is enjoyed on many Japanese cultural occasions, from weddings to meals in Izakaya -like restaurants. Last week Sake was placed on the list of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the "intangible cultural values ​​of mankind".

Dassai: A popular brand for sake lovers

The Dasai brand, which means "Otter Festival" in Japanese, is one of the best-known sake brands on the market. But the manufacturer is also known for high -quality products that are very popular with collectors who are willing to spend thousands of dollars for a bottle.

A look into the future: sake on the moon?

Asahi Shuzo's excursion into space is more than just trying to create another rare sake. Uetsuki hopes that the project will provide findings about how fermentation works in space, so that one day sake may be made on the moon. "In a future in which people can travel freely between the moon and earth, some will visit the moon as tourists. This project aims to create sake that can be enjoyed on the moon so that visitors experience gratifying moments there," he says.

Future technologies for space tourists

Uetsuki hopes that the technology will also benefit future space tourists who have a preference for other fermented foods. "Many Japanese foods, such as Natto and Miso, are fermented, and this technology could also be used in these areas," says Uetsuki. The company is currently developing brewery equipment for space, with a planned start date for the end of 2025.