ABC News Australia has a Last year more than 5 billion litres were sold, making it the most consumed spirit in the world by far.
But outside of China little is known about baijiu, and foreigners who have dared to taste it liken it to drinking cleaning agent or cheap perfume.
Now efforts are underway to market and export the fiery drink to the world — but many say that it is a challenge too great.
On the warm balmy evenings in Beijing, people flock to the outdoor eating areas to enjoy barbequed meats and their drink of choice baijiu.
