Ep. 41 Sake Around the World: Sake in Hong Kong with Eric Fung and Will Jarvis

From Birmingham to Hong Kong following sake around the world!  I am talking to Eric Fung and Will Jarvis about the sake scene in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is one of the largest export markets for sake just behind the US and Mainland China due for a number of reasons: 

1. Due to the proximity to Japan, consumers in Hong Kong have very good understanding of sake
2. The city has low import tariffs, which also makes it a re-export market
3. Hong Kong is a hub for wine trading at a commercial scale
4. Hong Kong is seen as the gateway to China

Eric Fung is the owner of Flavour of Life,  a purveyor of Japanese sake and beverages from select family-run producers in Japan.   Flavour of Life works exclusively with their Japanese counterpart to ensure quality sake is delivered internationally throughout Asia and North America.  The company focus on Yamaguchi prefecture but also on Shiga and Nagano prefectures.

Will Jarvis has been living and working in Asia for 8 years. Sake Matters is his consulting business working closely with Flavour of Life and other local concepts and importers on various projects, events and tastings. Will also writes for the Sake Brewers Association of North America and other Sake organisations and Asia-wide publications.

Don't forget, Sugidama Podcast now has a sponsor, London Sake, an excellent online sake store. London Sake has one of the widest selections of premium and craft sake available online today. They deliver across the UK and Europe, and with over 100 sake from 25 breweries, there really is something for everyone.

Simple online tasting notes and sensible, affordable food pairings will help you find the perfect sake without fuss. Listeners of the podcast can get a 10% discount Listen to the episode to get the magical code! London Sake: making sake simple.

Episode's Content:

• Sake in Hong Kong and how it's compared to the UK
• Where do people buy and drink sake in Hong Kong
• Sake consumer trends in Hong Kong
• Seasonal sake in Hong Kong
• Sake promotion and marketing in Hong Kong
• Are there any local sake breweries in Hong Kong?
• Future plans
• Sake recommendations
• Goodbyes and Ending

Kampai!
Sake mentioned:
Miyoshi Blue Junmai Ginjo
Abunotusuru Sake Brewery
Flavour of Life

Breweries mentioned by Will:
Kamoizumi Shuzo
Zenkuro Sake
Daimon Brewery
Otokoyama Sake Brewery

Discovering Yamaguchi Sake by Jim Rion

Sugidama Podcast on Podchaser - please review if you don't use Apple Podcasts

Music used:
Wirklich Wichtig (CB 27) by Checkie Brown https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Checkie_Brown_1005/hey/Wirklich_Wichtig_CB_27

Just Arround the World (Kielokaz ID 362) by KieLoKaz
 https://freemusicarchive.org/music/KieLoKaz/Free_Ganymed/Just_Arround_the_World_Kielokaz_ID_362

Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Vocal: Svetlana