Nigori

Nigori — from the Japanese nigori, "cloudy" or "turbid" — is the milky, unfiltered face of sake. Where most sake is pressed clear off its fermented mash, nigori is passed only through a coarse cloth or loose mesh, so a haze of fine rice sediment stays suspended in the bottle. The result is opaque and ivory-white, ranging from a faint pearly cloud to a thick, snowy pour, and it reads on the palate as soft, sweet and creamy — the rice itself made drinkable. Typically bottled at around 12 to 17 percent alcohol, a touch gentler and rounder than clear sake, it is gently swirled or shaken to rouse the settled lees before serving, then poured chilled. Nigori's sweetness and cushiony body make it the friendliest sake for newcomers and a natural foil for spicy, salty and fried food.