What is "huangjiu"

n. a class of Chinese alcoholic spirits made from fermented grains including rice, millet, and wheat

Huangjiu, translated as yellow wine, is a type of Chinese alcoholic beverage made from water, cereal grains such as rice, sorghum, millet, or wheat and a jiuqu starter culture. Unlike baijiu, such liquors are not distilled and contain less than 20% alcohol. Huangjiu is usually pasteurized, aged, and filtered before their final bottling for sale to consumers. Some styles are aged for as much as 20 years and sold as premium products. The various styles of huangjiu may vary in color from clear to beige, yellowish-brown, or reddish-brown. Many famous Huangjiu brands are noted for the quality of water involved in the brewing process and some consider it to be the most important ingredient.

Huangjiu is either drunk directly after being cooled or warmed, or used in Chinese cooking. Major producers of huangjiu include mainland China and Taiwan.