Rice wine is a sweet alcoholic drink used in different types of Asian cuisines. It comes with an aromatic flavor which adds to the taste of the food. It is popularly used in marinating, seasoning, or even for drinking alone. Are you wondering where to find the rice wine at the grocery store? Then you are exploring the right place.
Where To Find Rice Wine In The Grocery Store?
- You can find rice wine at any popular grocery store. However, the specific location where it is kept at the grocery store varies from state to state.
- To find rice wine at a grocery store, you should visit the condiment aisle first. Usually, that’s where they place the rice wine. The wine might be placed near the vinegar section.
- If you do not find it there, you should head to the international aisle. You will discover the stacks of rice wine placed in alignment.
- Still not found? Then you should check the liquid seasonings. You will definitely find it there.
- If you are looking for rice wine to drink, you may head towards the wine section. They keep different flavors of rice wine to be served as drink.
What Grocery Stores To Look In For Rice Wine To Buy?
To buy a bottle of rice wine, you can visit nearby grocery stores like Walmart, Safeway, Whole Foods, and Traders Joe’s. You can also buy it online from Amazon. Some popular brands of rice wine are Roland, Ka me, Sun Luck, Eden, Kikkoman, etc. There are easily available in Asian markets.
Common Types of Rice Wine
- Sake- The rice wine, Sake is a Japanese national drink with an alcohol content of 15%.
- Mirin- Mirin is a sweet rice wine used in Japanese cuisines.
- Shaoxing wine- It is a Chinese rice wine used to cook different varieties of Chinese dishes
- Tuak and Lihing- They are Malaysian rice wines prepared from the fermentation of glutinous rice with wide range of uses.
Substitute For Rice Wine
- Sherry vinegar – It tastes similar to rice wine and is widely used in sauces, pickles, and marinade.
- Gin- Gin has the same consistency and taste as that of rice wine and can be used interchangeably.
- White wine- White wine is popularly used in Italian cuisines. It can be used in Asian cuisines as a substitute for rice wine or Mirin.
How To Use Rice Wine?
Rice wine can be used in stir-fries to add more Complex flavor. You can use it in your vegan risotto recipe, too. One of the popular uses of rice wine is seasoning it with salads which imparts it the special restaurant flavor.
While marinating the meat you can use rice wine to soften the meat and add flavor. Though it is originally intended for cooking use, you can also drink it alone in small quantities. You can have rice wine with sushi or noodles also. Just shimmer it with the dish until all the alcohol burns out, leaving behind the natural flavor of rice wine.
How To Store Rice Wine?
You can store rice wine at room temperature. Try to store it in a cold dry area with the bottle tightly closed. However, you can also refrigerate the rice wine for longer duration.
Can Rice Wine And Rice Vinegar Be Used Interchangeably?
No, rice wine and rice vinegar should not be used interchangeably. Though both of them are prepared by the same process of fermentation, they differ in how each one is produced and in terms of their specific use.
Rice wine is commonly prepared from glutinous rice using lactic acid bacteria, fungi, and yeast. Whereas rice vinegar is prepared by fermentation of rice starches using Acetic Acid bacteria. Rice wine gives a sweet flavor. On the other hand, rice vinegar presence of sweet acidic flavor.
Does Rice Wine Contain Alcohol?
Yes, alcohol is present in rice wine in low quantities. The quantity of alcohol in rice wine ranges from 18% to 25%
Health Benefits Of Rice Wine
- Rice wine comes with several health benefits.
- It produces an antibacterial effect.
- It is used for the treatment of tumors owing to its anti-cancer properties.
- It is beneficial for skin diseases also.
- One of the best health benefits of rice wine is that it strengthens your digestive system.
Can You Prepare Rice Wine At Home?
Yes, you can prepare rice wine at home. Take a bowl of plain white rice with black raisins and sugar and mix them well with boiled water. After it cools down a bit, place the mixture in an airtight jar and leave it for three weeks. Do not forget to stir it every day. When you notice that the bubbles of fermentation have stopped, strain the liquid and store it in another container. Leave it for a month undisturbed before using. Now you have your rice wine good for use.
Conclusion
Rice wine is a traditional beverage with a wide variety of use. Visit the nearby store, look for the rice wine in the right section, grab a bottle and see its magic.
