Average "Jiu": Navigating the Complicated World of Chinese Baijiu

Moutai Baijiu on the shelves

Chinese baijiu doesn't have the fame of its close cousins Japanese sake and Korean soju.  This is probably due in large part to the fact that it is usually unpalatable.  You might ask why I'd chose to write an article about it then.  The simple answers are that its the world's most consumed spirit and a huge part of Chinese culture.  No trip to China would be complete without sampling some of this crazy liquor that the locals love.

The Chinese relationship with baijiu and foreigners goes hand-in-hand.  As a foreigner they will constantly pressure you to drink it, while simultaneously telling you how terrible it tastes.  After you drink it, they will usually think both less and more of you as a person.  The love affair with the spirit means you'll likely be forced to drink it at some point during a dinner.  While I wouldn't say any baijiu is good, even the expensive Maotai brand, some brands are worse than others.  I recommend putting your bottle of baijiu in the fridge before you drink it.  This will make it more drinkable.

Baijiu making an appearance in the contemporary
classic Cocktail

People often drink the spirit out of tiny baijiu goblets that have the added bonus of making me feel like a giant when I drink from them.  A round of drinking includes lots of people saying"Ganbei".  Ganbei is the Chinese word of cheers, and no meal is complete until it is said at least 50 times.  The Chinese love their baijiu, so make learning about it a priority.  Tucked away in one of Beijing's quickly disappearing hutongs sits a entire museum dedicated to the liquid.  Make sure to check it out before it gets "restored" in a few weeks.  

Bad baijiu usually exudes a smell like finger nail polish remover.  The statement you just read is not a joke....finger nail polish remover.  It is very distinct to put it lightly

.  So maybe baijiu deserves its bad reputation, but I still strongly recommend you try it.  Just warn others about it before they pop their bottles of souvenir "Chinese sake".