What is the primary ingredient used in sake production?

The primary ingredient used in sake production is rice. Sake is a traditional Japanese alcoholic beverage, and the specific type of rice used must have particular characteristics, such as a high starch content, to facilitate the fermentation process. This rice is polished to remove the outer layers, which can contain fats and proteins that may negatively affect the sake's flavor and clarity. The polishing ratio plays a significant role in determining the quality and classification of the sake. Other grains, such as barley and wheat, are commonly used in other alcoholic beverages but are not utilized in the production of sake, making rice the essential and defining ingredient.