中英對照讀新聞》Sustainable sake: Tokyo brewer uses music, modern methods to counter climate impact 永續清酒:東京釀酒廠利用音樂和現代方法來應對氣候衝擊
◎孫宇青
The gentle lilt of a flute fills a cramped second-storey space in Tokyo that houses a burbling vat of fermenting sake.
輕快的笛聲充滿東京一個狹窄的二樓空間,裡面放著一桶正在發酵、發出咕嚕咕嚕聲響的清酒。
The bacteria in the 670-litre tank will take more than two weeks to turn its contents of rice and water into Japan’s traditional alcoholic drink.
這個670公升酒桶中的細菌需要2週以上的時間,才能將其中的米和水轉化為日本傳統的酒精飲料。
But they are not only alive, they are listening too, said brewer Yoshimi Terasawa, and the type of music coming from a loudspeaker below the tank determines how the spirit will taste.
但釀酒師寺澤吉美(譯音)表示,這些原料不僅活著,而且還在聆聽,從酒桶下方喇叭播放的音樂類型決定烈酒的味道。
"The micro-organisms inside are activated by the vibrations, and the taste changes," said the 63-year-old chief brewer of Tokyo Port Brewing.
這位東京港釀造廠63歲首席釀酒師說:「振動會激活裡頭的微生物,味道也會發生變化。」
Music is among the unconventional techniques Terasawa is using at the only sake factory in the heart of the capital.
音樂是寺澤在首都市中心唯一的清酒工廠內使用的非傳統技術之一。
新聞辭典
ferment:動詞或名詞,發酵。例句:The beans should be refrigerated so that they do not ferment.(豆子應冷藏,以免發酵。)
unconventional:形容詞,不因循守舊的。例句:We have decided to hold an unconventional wedding ceremony.(我們決定舉辦一場別開生面的婚禮。)