Japanese scientists create liquor made from wood

Japanese scientists have invented a liquor similar to sake from tree bark.

Researchers from Japan's Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute have been testing a method of producing drinkable ethanol since June 2009. They believe they will have something available to consumers by 2021.

Previously, “wood alcohol” or methanol, made by distilling fermented wood, has been extremely toxic. Even drinking a small amount of methanol can make you go blind or kill you, because blood becomes dangerously acidic after the body metabolises it. 

However, the scientists have found a safe method of production that involves pulverising tree bark into a paste, then hydrolysing it with a commercial cellulase enzyme to obtain sugar from it, then fermenting it using yeast. By avoiding using heat in the manufacturing process, the alcohol retain the flavour of the trees it is made from.

They say it tastes woody, like liquor aged in a cask.

The scientists have brewed and distilled versions of drinks made from cedar, birch and cherry,  with an alcohol content of 15%. They experimented with both brewed and distilled versions of the new beverage, but decided distilled alcohol tasted better".

One of the team, Kengo Magara, told the AFP: "We thought it would be interesting to think that alcohol could be made from something around here like trees.

"It's a dream-inspired project.

"Japan has plenty of trees across the nation and we hope people can enjoy wood alcohols that are specialised from each region."