Product description
Ama Shizuku – Gagel Edition is our seasonal expression of a non-alcoholic sake alternative, crafted through Japanese fermentation and deeply rooted in the landscapes of the Netherlands.
For this limited edition, we use Gagel, a rare native botanical picked in Rotterdam’s Trompenburg Tuinen Food Forest.
Why Gagel? A Forgotten Native Plant
In the Netherlands, Gagel once grew widely across lowland wetlands and was traditionally used to flavor beer long before hops arrived. As brewing practices shifted and the land was reshaped, this aromatic plant faded from daily life. Today, it survives only in rare, acidic soils — a living reminder of how much our ecosystems have transformed.
By bringing this forgotten native plant into the spotlight through fermentation, we aim to celebrate both the beauty and fragility of local biodiversity. Gagel leaves impart a delicate herbal aroma with a subtle rose-like note, creating a sensory profile that feels both ancient and new.
Connecting Japanese Fermentation with European Nature
Fermentation in Japan has long served as a bridge between people, place, and tradition. By pairing this heritage craft with a nearly forgotten European herb, we create a drink that carries the taste of time, place, and intentionality.
It evokes the quiet atmosphere of foggy wetlands — a gentle wetland whisper captured in liquid form.
