Space sake could sell for $500,000 a glass

Space sake could sell for $500,000 a glass

A Japanese sake manufacturer is entering new territory: space.

Asahi Shuzo's exciting sake plan

Asahi Shuzo, the company behind popular sake brand Dassai, plans to transport sake ingredients to the International Space Station (ISS) to ferment a very special sake. If all goes well, a 100ml bottle will be available for sale for 100 million yen, which is about $653,000. This turns a normal 80 ml glass into a very expensive drink.

The challenge of fermentation in space

“There is no guarantee of 100% success in the fermentation tests,” explains Souya Uetsuki, who is responsible for the project at Asahi Shuzo. He emphasizes that differences in gravity could affect heat transfer in liquids, leading to a different fermentation process in space than on Earth.

Scientific support and space technology

The company has 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 has stated that they will have no further comment on this privately funded project.

Sake and its cultural significance

Sake is made from Japanese rice, water, yeast and koji (a type of mold). Traditional production takes about two months and involves precise steps such as steaming, stirring and fermenting. The drink is enjoyed at many Japanese cultural occasions, from weddings to meals at izakaya-style restaurants. Last week, sake was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List of “Intangible Cultural Values ​​of Humanity.”

Dassai: A popular brand for sake lovers

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

A look into the future: sake on the moon?

Asahi Shuzo's foray into space is more than just an attempt to create another rare sake. Uetsuki hopes the project will provide insights into how fermentation works in space, so that sake may one day be made on the moon. "In a future where 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 can experience enjoyable moments there," he says.

Future technologies for space tourists

Uetsuki hopes the technology will also benefit future space tourists who have a taste for other fermented foods. “Many Japanese foods, such as natto and miso, are fermented, and this technology could also find application in these areas,” says Uetsuki. The company is currently developing brewing equipment for space, with a planned launch date of late 2025.