Baijiu – All You Need to Know | Instacart’s Guide to Groceries

What is baijiu?

Baijiu is a centuries-old Chinese distilled alcoholic beverage. It’s made from fermented sorghum, although some manufacturers use other cereals instead, such as rice and millet.

This isn’t a beverage you can drink straight from the bottle. With an alcoholic content between 35-65%, baijiu is a strong drink—as strong as aged whiskey.

Don’t get baijiu confused with other East Asian spirits. The Japanese shochu and the Korean soju may look (and sound) similar to this Chinese liquor, but they couldn’t be more different. Baijiu is famous for having a unique flavor profile—often described as funky, pungent, sweet, earthy, and nutty.

But don’t be put off by that description. Baijiu is the best-selling alcoholic drink in the world, with billions of bottles sold every year.

Where did baijiu originate from?

Baijiu originated in China around the 17th century. The first brewers making this spirit were inspired by ancient Chinese wines and the distillation techniques introduced by the Mongols.

That combination proved to be a success. Today, baijiu is a significant part of Chinese drinking culture. Loved ones gather around the table to enjoy this drink together on special days and when welcoming guests as a show of hospitality. Even business leaders will share a bottle when closing deals.

Despite being treasured in China, baijiu hasn’t made much of a splash in North America or Europe.

How is baijiu made?

Making baijiu is a time-consuming and complicated process. It can be broken down into five steps:

1. Sorghum (or rice) is steamed in a traditional still that acts like a vegetable steamer.
2. Qū—a fermentation starter that lends baijiu its characteristic flavor—is sprinkled over the steamed cereal. Different distillers will use different cultures of qū to develop a signature flavor.
3. Manufacturers distill the mixture in Chinese pot stills.
4. The baijiu then needs to mature for at least a month but frequently for much longer.
5. A blender will assess the quality of the baijiu and mix it with other batches until the flavor is just right. Water is also added at this stage to lower the alcohol content.

What is the nutritional value of baijiu?

A serving of baijiu is around 1.5oz. (or 44ml), just enough to fill up a shot glass. On average, that serving has around 132 calories, all coming from alcohol. Compared with whiskey (which has a similar proof), baijiu has slightly more calories.

What should I look for when buying baijiu?

Buying baijiu becomes much easier once you realize that there are four main types of this drink. Look for one of these classifications on the label to pick the perfect bottle for you:

• Light-aroma baijiu (or qingxiang) tastes sweet and floral. It has fruity notes and will likely remind you of ripe pears and melons. Because it’s so pleasant to drink, this is the kind of baijiu you should be looking for if you’ve never had the spirit before.
• Rice-aroma baijiu (or mixiang) has more mellow tones. Because it’s made from rice, it has a grassy and earthy taste. The sweet fruity notes kick in at the end.
• Sauce-aroma baijiu (or jiangxiang) is the strongest and most intense of the bunch. It has a similar taste to soy sauce and fermented bean paste. Because of that, it’s usually enjoyed by long-time baijiu lovers and connoisseurs, as it can feel overwhelming to most people’s palate.
• Strong-aroma baijiu (or nongxiang) is the most popular across China due to its fruity and grassy flavor, with hints of star anise mixed in.

If you are looking to have your groceries delivered, you can easily shop for baijiu via Instacart. After adding a product to your cart, use the “Instructions” option to notify your Instacart shopper about any preferences or specific directions on how to choose the best products. Shop for baijiu.

How to store baijiu

You should store a closed bottle of baijiu in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. A wine cellar, for example, is the ideal place to keep it.

When you store baijiu at the proper temperatures (between 53-59ºF), a closed bottle will keep for years. In fact, aged baijiu is the most valuable, and bottles that have been stored for over 20 years fetch a high price.

Once you open your baijiu bottle, however, you should keep it in a cellar for up to 12 months. Longer than that, and you risk your drink oxidizing, making it lose its high alcohol content and pungent, sought-after taste.

How to tell if baijiu is bad

Drinking an opened 2-year-old bottle of baijiu won’t get you sick; the taste just won’t be as intense. Because this drink has a high alcohol content, it doesn’t go bad in the same way that perishable foods do.

That said, if your baijiu tastes metallic and has an odd smell, you’re probably better off dumping it down the drain.

What can I substitute for baijiu?

Unfortunately, you can’t substitute baijiu with other drinks. After all, when you serve baijiu, you’re not mixing it with any other beverages: you’re looking to enjoy its unique flavor, which is pretty much impossible to replicate. Even other Chinese liquors don’t come close to this popular beverage.

Where to find baijiu near you

You can skip the frantic search for a good-quality bottle of baijiu by ordering one via Instacart. It only takes a few clicks, and you can do it all from the comfort of your home. Plus, thanks to same-day delivery, you will get your bottle of baijiu in just a few hours! Just in time for a fun last-minute gathering with your loved ones.

Grab it now on Instacart:

JIANGXIAOBAI Pure Chinese Baijiu (100 ml)

Shui Jing Fang Wellbay Dragon Baijiu (1 L)

HKB Hong Kong Baijiu (750 ml)

Wuliangye Chinese Baijiu (500 ml)

Ming River Sichuan Baijiu (750 ml)

Wuliangye No 8 China Baijiu (750 ml)

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