Which Chinese liquor is the most consumed spirit in the world by volume? Baijiu is the answer.
Baijiu is a broad category of clear Chinese distilled spirits, not a single brand or recipe. It is commonly made from sorghum, though rice, wheat, corn, millet and peas may also be used. Production relies on qu, a fermentation starter containing microorganisms that convert cooked grains into fermentable material.
Its enormous consumption is driven mainly by China’s population and deeply rooted drinking customs. Baijiu is frequently served neat during meals, banquets and ceremonial toasts, often with the phrase “ganbei,” meaning “dry the cup.” Estimates have placed annual consumption above that of vodka, making baijiu the world’s leading spirit category by volume.
A common mistake is to treat baijiu as equivalent to sake. Sake is a Japanese brewed rice beverage, while baijiu is a Chinese distilled spirit. Famous baijiu styles include sauce-aroma, strong-aroma and light-aroma varieties; Kweichow Moutai is one of its best-known brands.