Small Bowl of Clovegarden Mirin

Mirin - Non-Traditional


Japan / Korea   -   Mirin (Japan); Mirim (Korea)

Makes:
Effort:
Sched:
DoAhead:  
1 cup
*
15 min
Yes
Traditional Japanese Mirin (Hon Mirin) is very scarce and hard to find in North America. The "Mirin Type Seasonings" found in markets are faked up. This recipe is closer to authentic - see Comments.

1/4
3
3/4

c
T
c

Sugar (1)  
Water
Sake (2)
  1. Mix Sugar and Water in a small saucepan, and heat stirring until it comes to a simmer and all sugar has dissolved.
  2. Let the Sugar Water cool, then stir in Sake.
  3. Packaged in a tightly sealed jar it should last a couple weeks at room temperature, of indefinitely refrigerated.
NOTES:
  1. Sugar:

      A lightly refined sugar (Turbanado) gave me a taste and color closer to the authentic Japanese Mirin I had on hand than plain white sugar did. The authentic mirin was a little sweeter than this recipe.
  2. Sake:

      Use a good quality drinkable Sake for this recipe. For the photo example I used Gekkeikan brand Sake, brewed in Folsom, California.
  3. Comments:

      Traditional Hon Mirin is made by a process similar to making Sake, but modified so a lot of sugars are produced. It ends up at 8% to 14% alcohol. Regular Sake is around 15.6%. What is easily available in markets today is faked up "Mirin Type Seasoning", based on Glucose or Corn Syrup (Fructose). They may or may not have a significant amount of alcohol, and if they have any, may have 1.4% salt added to make them undrinkable, avoiding liquor taxes. The version given by this recipe is more authentic than most and will be about 11% alcohol. It is similar to TAKARA Mirin, a high grade product made by TAKARA SAKE USA Inc. Berkeley, California, from Takara brand Sake and sugars. Theirs is 12% alcohol - you could achieve that with a dash of Vodka.
  4. U.S. measure: t=teaspoon, T=Tablespoon, c=cup, qt=quart, oz=ounce, #=pound, cl=clove in=inch, ar=as required tt=to taste
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