An awamori-based liqueur made in Okinawa, Japan.
Habu sake is actually not a type of sake. Instead, it is what is known as an awamori. It is made primarily in Okinawa, Japan. It's origins, like many other Japanese traditions originated in Korea and China, which make similar products. It seems that habushu stems from a certain type of sake called awamori. Awamori is made from a special type of crushed rice imported from Thailand. The rice is soaked, washed, steamed, and cooled before black yeast, koji, is added. The mixture is left to ferment on triangle shaped shelves for about two weeks. Habushu (ハブ酒) is an awamori-based liqueur made in Okinawa, Japan. Other common names include Habu Sake or Okinawan Snake Wine. Habushu is named after the habu snake, Trimeresurus flavoviridis, which belongs to the pit viper family and is closely related to the rattlesnake and copperhead. The Japanese word ‘Habu’ refers to a particular type of snake that inhabits the Ryukyu Islands. These snakes are also known as tree vipers or pit vipers. There are three species of Habus found on Okinawa. Two of these species have been introduced and one is native to the island. Habu Sake. Appreciated since ancient times by Okinawan people as a health drink ,Habu Sake is prepared utilizing a special process that mixes high class Okinawan awamori, extract from the Habu snake and 13 different kinds of herbs native to Okinawa. Vitality of the Okinawan habu is legendary. Habu Sake. When living in Okinawa, Japan one of the most fantastical and fearsome foods I ever saw was called Habushu. Habushu is a type of sake that is made almost exclusively in Okinawa. Habushu is sake with a habu snake coiled inside of it. Habushu, also called Habu Sake is a liqueur made in Okinawa, Japan. The distillation process is typical of other Japanese liqueurs, except this refreshing beverage gets a venomous habu snake shoved into the bottle.
http://outsiderjapan.pbworks.com/w/page/37894074/Habu%20Sake http://jacul.blogspot.com/2006/09/habu-sake.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habushu http://www.japanupdate.com/2014/07/habu-snakes-of-okinawa/ http://www.okinawamarket.com/en/?cid=12 http://jacul.blogspot.com/2006/09/habu-sake.html http://www.weirdtwist.com/2013/01/japanese-snake-wine-habu-sake.html
what is habu sake