What Is Mirin?
Mirin (
) is a sweet Japanese rice wine with an alcohol content of about 14%. It has been used in Japanese cuisine since the Edo
period, which lasted from 1603 to 1868. It is made by fermenting steamed glutinous rice with koji mold and shōchū, a Japanese rice spirit. The process takes
about 40 to 60 days.
In stores you will find
, the traditionally brewed product, and
, an alcohol-free seasoning with a similar taste. Korea has a comparable product called
, which was inspired by the Japanese version.
