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Grain Varieties for Chinese Liquor Brewing and Simple Brewing Methods
Grain Varieties for Chinese Liquor (Baijiu) Brewing Typically, grains used for brewing baijiu include sorghum, rice, glutinous rice, peas, corn, wheat, barley, buckwheat, and even potatoes.Liquors Made from Sorghum
Sorghum Rice Wine
High Sorghum Liquor
Baijiu (Chinese baijiu) These are some of the liquors made from sorghum.
Simple Method for Brewing Baijiu with Sorghum and Rice In simple terms, baijiu is made from grains as the raw material, using yeast (qu) as a catalyst to break down the starch in the grains into ethanol, which is then distilled. The basic steps are:
Steam the grains until they are cooked.
Spread them out to cool, then add the qu and water.
Place the mixture in a sealed container for fermentation.
After fermentation, distill the mixture using a distillation apparatus.
Store the newly distilled liquor.
Adjust the flavor of the liquor as needed. This is the simplified process.
![Sorghum Rice Wine]( "Sorghum Rice Wine")
Types of Sorghum for Higher Yield Each company has its own unique brewing process, resulting in different yields. Even with the same process, the skill level of the operator can affect the yield. However, there are general guidelines:
Light-aroma baijiu (qingxiang) typically has a higher yield, around 50% (calculated at 60% alcohol by volume).
Strong-aroma baijiu (nongxiang) has a slightly lower yield, around 40%.
Sauce-aroma baijiu (jiangxiang) has the lowest yield, around 30%.
Comparison of Homemade Sorghum, Millet, and Five-Grain Liquors
Homemade five-grain liquor is generally considered the best-tasting, followed by sorghum liquor, and then millet liquor.
Millet wine (fermented) has a milder, slightly sweet taste and lower alcohol content, making it more palatable.
Sorghum liquor (distilled) has a strong, rich flavor and higher alcohol content.
Pure rice wine has a distinct, pleasant rice aroma and is often preferred for its smoothness compared to sorghum liquor.
In summary, the choice between these types of liquor depends on personal preference, with each offering a unique flavor profile and drinking experience.
