Spotlight
October 28, 2016
It’s the Great Pumpkin Bitters, Charlie Brown!
Make yourself the ultimate autumn-flavored drink with Pumpkin Bitters. This seasonal infusion is made by Workhorse Rye, a San Francisco-based distiller. Using five different types of organic heirloom pumpkins from La Tercera Farms, Workhorse Rye roasts and macerates them with a melange of spices and flavorings, including sage, chamomile, rosemary, rooibos, green cardamom, cinnamon, cacao, and vanilla. Together, these flavors are all infused […]
October 27, 2016
Green Tea Kit Kats: Give ’em a Break from Boring Halloween Candy
Halloween is Monday! If you’re looking to stock your candy bowl with something more interesting than Hershey’s, Reese’s, and Tootsie Rolls, get a bag (or two) of Japanese Green Tea Kit Kats. Made with matcha from Uji Prefecture, these Kit Kats are a part of Nestle Japan’s otona no amasa (adult sweetness) line. But you don’t have to […]
October 21, 2016
Give a Hoot: Hitachino Nest Anbai Ale!
Last year, we were very sad to learn that Hitachino Nest Anbai Ale was only available to purchase on tap. We got a taste of this sour, fruity, and savory beer next door at The Trappist. We knew upon tasting it that we had to get bottles as soon as they were available. So, guess what? We got […]
October 20, 2016
Get Into the Spirit: Studio Arhoj Ghost Lanterns
Move over Casper, there’s an even friendlier ghost around – the Studio Arhoj GhostLantern! More welcoming than scary, these hand-cast porcelain lanterns have a compartment for a tea candle (or battery-operated tea light), so you can see a comforting glow emanating from their eyes. For best results, put one (or more) of these ghost lanterns […]
October 13, 2016
It’s That Time Again: Miracle Mile Ume Bitters Are Back!
As soon Louis Anderman of Miracle Mile Bitters Co. announces on Instagram the annual release of his limited edition Ume Bitters, our phone starts ringing and our inbox gets emails from customers who wonder, “When will Miracle Mile Ume Bitters be in at Umami Mart?” So, for those who’ve been patiently waiting, Ume Bitters are here! What’s all the […]
October 7, 2016
1210 More Very Good Cocktails You Need to Drink!
A follow-up to 901 Very Good Cocktails, 1210 More Very Good Cocktails: A Renaissance Compendium by Oakland resident and mixology guru Stew Ellington is on our shelves! While his first book concentrated on classic drinks, 1210 More Very Good Cocktails focuses on the new wave of craft cocktails. Fun to read, comprehensive, and practical, this guide features dependably good recipes from more than 500 bartenders. The book is organized […]
October 6, 2016
Kizakura Kyoto Beers Are Here!
One of the first craft beer brewers in Japan is Kizakura Co, a Kyoto-based brewery that’s one of Japan’s top sake producers. Kizakura started making beer back in 1995, using the same clear, pure water they’ve been using to make their sake. And in some cases, the water is not the only overlapping ingredient between their […]
September 29, 2016
Tin Cup Is Not Just a Cheesy Kevin Costner Movie
If you search for sakewares, you might notice that many sake cups and carafes are made using tin. You may have wondered, “Why tin?” Well, it turns out this particular metal has a peculiar effect on sake. It’s commonly noted that tin improves sake’s flavor, making dry sake softer, milder, and less bitter. And tin […]