Awamori

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A distinctive distilled drink from Okinawa, crafted from rice and noted for its robust taste, which is commonly enjoyed chilled or at ambient temperature
2. This liquor, originating in Okinawa, is made primarily from rice using unique fermentation techniques and is cherished for both its rich flavor and cultural heritage
3. A traditional alcoholic beverage from Okinawa that is made using a unique rice distillation process, recognized for its full-bodied flavor and cultural significance

Etymology: Awamori is a distilled spirit from Okinawa, and its name is written in Japanese as 泡盛. The two characters are the key to the name. 泡 (awa) means "foam" or "bubble," and 盛 (mori) means "to heap up" or "to fill to the brim." Together they describe the old test of strength: a well-made spirit held in a vessel and shaken or poured would form a fine, lasting foam, showing that it was strong and of good quality. The word entered English directly from Japanese, so the name carries the same sense of foam and filling that it has in Okinawa. Readers who see "awamori" on a bottle can read it as literally "heaped foam," a reference to the spirit's qualities rather than to any place or ingredient.