-
1
Make sure to break up the rice malt if it's a solid.
-
2
I usually break it up with my hands as-is without opening the package.
-
3
Turn the rice cooker onto the warming setting, and add in the rice malt.
-
4
If you use refrigerated rice malt or if the pot is cold, the temperature will drop immediately, so warm it up first.
-
5
Add 150F/70C water, and mix well.
-
6
It will immediately drop to 120F/50C, so close the lid and let it warm up for a bit, until it reaches above 60c.
-
7
Making sure the temperature doesn't drop too much, stir it little by little while checking the temperature.
-
8
It will take about 3-4 hours for the rice malt to sweeten.
-
9
It depends on the rice cooker, but all I do is turn on the warm switch twice.
-
10
Once it drops below 120F/50C, I heat it up for another 20-30 minutes and then turn it off again.
-
11
Rice malt ferments at about 130F (110-140F) / 55C(45-60C).
-
12
Keep turning the warming switch on and off to prevent cooling down.
-
13
It will stop fermenting once it reaches above 160F/70C.
-
14
It gets pretty hot even with the warm function, so don't cover it with a lid for too long.
-
15
If it's a rice cooker where you can set the temperature, it might be suitable to choose the lowest heat setting.
-
16
Or use a yogurt maker, which sets at 130F/55C.
-
17
If you are making it in a thermos, use a 500 ml bottle.
-
18
Pour hot water to warm it up before pouring the mixture in and make sure the heat doesn't drop when you change the water.
-
19
Just like in Step 3, heat to 140F/60C, and mix well.
-
20
Transfer to a bottle, let sit for about 8-12 hours, and you are done!
-
21
If the temperature drops too far, then it won't be very sweet.
-
22
But don't give up!
-
23
If you transfer it to a pot and warm it over low heat, it'll become sweet again in a blink of an eye .
-
24
Once it's done, dilute with water to make amazake (sweet sake).
-
25
You can use it just like jam or yogurt, or use it to make healthy sweets .
-
26
Freeze it in silicone cups or in ziplock bags, and make frozen treats .
-
27
The dense rice malt will not freeze solid, so it's convenient!
-
28
Mix with fruit, yogurt, or tofu, or make sherbet or ice cream.
-
29
Add soy milk or regular milk and make a shake.
-
30
It's delicious enough without adding any sugar.
