The demand for omija (fruit of Schizandra chinensis) makkolli of the Sonhung Foodstuff Factory is on the rise.
In general, makkolli presents a refreshing taste for the good combination of sweet and sour tastes and it contains various nutritive ingredients.
As one of Korean national drinks, makkolli has undergone development in kind with its recipe getting varied in the long historical period.
“There has been a great endeavour to develop makkolli into functional drink on the domestic front since several years ago. And we have also added pharmacological action by putting omija into the traditional recipe,” said chief engineer Tu Song Hui.
Omija was named thus in the meaning that it has five tastes such as sweet, bitter, salty, hot and sour tastes.
Growing in sunny places near groves in the mountainous areas which are 200 to 1 600 metres high above sea level, the fruit of Schizandra chinensis contains protein, fat, glucide, minerals, vitamin C, amino acids, sugar, lignan compound, organic acid, essential oil, saponin resin, pectin and tannin.
The Korean people have long used omija as the raw material of Koryo medicine, jelly, liquor, juice or tea.
“We succeeded in the development of a new fermentation method with original fragrance in the course of repeating research and experiment to develop functional makkolli from omija,” said Yun Ryon Mi, chief of the technical preparation section.
The introduction of this method into production is said to have improved alcohol, sugar content, acidity and other quality indexes of omija makkolli.
Its alcohol content is less than 10 percent and sugar content is about 2 percent.
Omija makkolli, in which natural smell and taste are well harmonized with sweet and sour tastes of the traditional makkolli, is getting popular.
When one drinks omija makkolli in midsummer, it stops thirst and sweating and relieves the tight chest. Drinkers say that they quickly recover from physical and mental fatigue and it is efficacious for the treatment of such diseases as coughing, panting, diabetes, cardiac infarction and arteriosclerosis.
More From Pyongyang Times
Recently, the Laotian government set its major tasks for 2026. A government meeting took place in Vientiane, the capital of Laos,
January 28, 2026
Recently, the Laotian government set its major tasks for 2026. A government meeting took place in Vientiane, the capital of Laos,
The Indian embassy in Pyongyang hosted a reception at the Taedonggang Diplomatic Club on January 26 to mark the Day of the
January 28, 2026
The Indian embassy in Pyongyang hosted a reception at the Taedonggang Diplomatic Club on January 26 to mark the Day of the
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov decried the confrontational policy of the West at a press conference on January 20. Saying
January 28, 2026
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov decried the confrontational policy of the West at a press conference on January 20. Saying
Modern houses have been built in the rural villages of Sokjang-ri of Jangyon County and Songnam-ri of Thaethan County, South
January 28, 2026
Modern houses have been built in the rural villages of Sokjang-ri of Jangyon County and Songnam-ri of Thaethan County, South
Schoolchildren’s winter vacation is now at its height. Their routines during the vacation are very diverse, and yet priority is
January 28, 2026
Schoolchildren’s winter vacation is now at its height. Their routines during the vacation are very diverse, and yet priority is
The Sariwon Tannery in North Hwanghae Province has been remodelled. All its production lines, ranging from raw material feeding to
January 28, 2026
The Sariwon Tannery in North Hwanghae Province has been remodelled. All its production lines, ranging from raw material feeding to
A meeting was held on January 26 to review the 2025 socialist emulation in the fruit farming sector. Present there were Ri Chol
January 28, 2026
A meeting was held on January 26 to review the 2025 socialist emulation in the fruit farming sector. Present there were Ri Chol
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said at a talk on January 19 that the country should develop its economy by its own
January 27, 2026
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said at a talk on January 19 that the country should develop its economy by its own
The German prime minister at a press conference on January 19 resisted the US’ tariff pressure in relation to the Greenland issue.
January 27, 2026
The German prime minister at a press conference on January 19 resisted the US’ tariff pressure in relation to the Greenland issue.
Construction projects conducive to developing the self-supporting economy have been completed one after another in different parts
January 27, 2026
Construction projects conducive to developing the self-supporting economy have been completed one after another in different parts
Ryu Kum Hui is one of the talented film artistes. Born in Hamhung City, South Hamgyong Province, she was gifted with a clear voice
January 27, 2026
Ryu Kum Hui is one of the talented film artistes. Born in Hamhung City, South Hamgyong Province, she was gifted with a clear voice
The Musan Mining Complex carried out the blasting of one million cubic metres of earth on January 25. The successful blasting
January 27, 2026
The Musan Mining Complex carried out the blasting of one million cubic metres of earth on January 25. The successful blasting
Kimchi is one of the typical foods of the DPRK. A unique processed vegetable made through lactic fermentation of vegetable, kimchi
January 27, 2026
Kimchi is one of the typical foods of the DPRK. A unique processed vegetable made through lactic fermentation of vegetable, kimchi
The Pukchang Thermal Power Complex is bringing about a great upsurge in production. Last year the complex conducted maintenance
January 27, 2026
The Pukchang Thermal Power Complex is bringing about a great upsurge in production. Last year the complex conducted maintenance
On January 18, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the UK issued a joint statement against the
January 26, 2026
On January 18, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the UK issued a joint statement against the
The prime minister of Greenland reaffirmed the stand to defend the right to self-determination on January 19. The oppressive moves
January 26, 2026
The prime minister of Greenland reaffirmed the stand to defend the right to self-determination on January 19. The oppressive moves
Modern rural dwellings are springing up one after another in Kangwon Province amid the news of ceremonies of moving into new
January 26, 2026
Modern rural dwellings are springing up one after another in Kangwon Province amid the news of ceremonies of moving into new
Sariwon Ri Kye Sun University of Education has been newly built in North Hwanghae Province. The university has school buildings,
January 26, 2026
Sariwon Ri Kye Sun University of Education has been newly built in North Hwanghae Province. The university has school buildings,
The Farm Machine Institute has been successfully built as the central base for leading the comprehensive mechanization of
January 26, 2026
The Farm Machine Institute has been successfully built as the central base for leading the comprehensive mechanization of
A fish pickling workshop has been built at the Hanchon Fishery Station. The construction of the base for producing various kinds
January 26, 2026
A fish pickling workshop has been built at the Hanchon Fishery Station. The construction of the base for producing various kinds
More Articles