Where to Buy Postpartum Rice Wines in Singapore: A Guide for New Mothers
Welcoming a new baby is a joyous occasion—but it also marks the beginning of a mother's recovery journey. In many Asian cultures, this recovery is supported by postpartum nutrition, especially during the confinement period, where warm, nourishing foods and traditional tonics are key to restoring vitality.
One time-honored remedy? Confinement rice wine.
If you’re wondering where to buy postpartum rice wines in Singapore, this guide covers everything you need to know—from why rice wine is used after childbirth to the best places to buy quality bottles in Singapore!
But First, Why Is Rice Wine Used in Postpartum Nutrition?
Rice wine, also known as “mi jiu” (米酒), plays an essential role in traditional confinement practices across Chinese, Hakka, and Southeast Asian cultures. Here's why:
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🧄 Warming the body: Rice wine is believed to dispel "wind" and cold from the body after childbirth, which is considered essential for postpartum recovery. We have a full article here that describes what we need for postpartum recovery!
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🩸 Boosting blood circulation: It helps stimulate blood flow and aids in the healing of internal system.
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🥄 Enhancing nutrition absorption: When used in cooking, it boosts the natural flavour and effectiveness of other herbal ingredients like ginger, red dates, and goji berries. Also, as our rice wines are naturally fermented and has an umami taste, you can even skip the seasonings when cooking!
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🍵 Milk production support: Some believe rice wine can gently stimulate lactation by warming the body and reducing stress.
Most commonly, rice wine is added to dishes like ginger rice wine mee sua, and red rice wine chicken soup (hong zao soup)!
What to Look For in Confinement Rice Wine
Not all rice wines are created equal. Here’s what you should look for when buying confinement rice wine in Singapore:
| Criteria | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| No preservatives or coloring | You want the cleanest, safest product for recovery. |
| Made with glutinous rice | High starch content creates a smoother, more aromatic wine. |
| Low salt or no added salt | Many store-bought brands add salt, which isn't ideal for postpartum consumption. Some even add coloring, oh my! |
| Homemade or handcrafted | These usually retain more beneficial enzymes and have no artificial additives. |
| Confinement-specific blends | Some brands blend in traditional herbs like Bentong ginger or red yeast rice for added benefits. Such as Ye Traditions' version. |
Where to Buy Postpartum Rice Wine in Singapore
Based on the criteria above, we recommend Ye Traditions for quality rice wine for confinement in Singapore:
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🏷️ Artisanal rice wines made using five-generation heritage recipes.
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🍶 Highlights:
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No preservatives, no coloring
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Bentong Ginger-infused options available
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Great for cooking or sipping as a tonic
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Used by many modern mothers during postpartum recovery
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📦 Islandwide delivery available
Alternatively, you can also shop at supermarkets but be very careful to make sure that they do not add salt, sugar, or preservatives. We have also seen some being sold at TCM stores which you can also consider.
Final Tips for New Mothers
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❄️ Storage matters: Always refrigerate after opening. Rice wine with no preservatives can spoil quickly.
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🍽️ Use in cooking: Even a tablespoon of rice wine in your meals can aid in digestion and warmth.
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🤱 Consult your doctor or TCM practitioner: Especially if you're breastfeeding or have allergies.
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