Makkolli or fermented grain wine is one of the traditional drinks the Korean people have enjoyed for many centuries.
The name makkoli is derived from a Korean word meaning roughly filtered fermented liquor.
It had been called differently: namely thakju , jaeju or hoeju for its cloudiness, thakbaegi as the opaque liquor is served in an earthenware bowl, paekju for its milky colour when served in wedding and funeral ceremonies, kaju as it is brewed at homes, saju as it is drunken by workers, nongju or nongthak as it is favored by peasants.
Makkoli brewing is the simplest among those of the traditional liquors of Korea, and it has a long history.
An old book Sonhwabongsakoryodogyong written by a man from China’s Song dynasty, who had ever visited Koryo (a Korean feudal state that had existed between 918 and 1392) in the early 12th century, and other historical records in the period of Koryo dynasty had notes and verses about makkoli .
This shows that Koreans had brewed and drunken makkoli in the period of Koryo dynasty or even before.
Makkoli was brewed by fermenting cereals such as glutinous rice, white rice and barley, or something like the washing water of rice, with malt before filtering.
Here are brewing methods. First ferment any cereal with malted wheat until it is brewed into chongju or refined liquor. Then add water to the remaining liquor and filter it into makkoli . Use malted rice in fermentation and sieve the liquor finely to brew a superb makkoli .
Among the traditional makkolis are kupsiju (liquor fermented and brewed in haste), rihwaju (liquor brewed in the pear flower season), chumoju (liquor brewed with winter barley), and sajolju (liquor which can be brewed in all seasons).
Makkoli has been widely consumed in local diet as it has an alcohol content of about 5-7%, and tastes sour, sweet, rough and refreshing.
It was customary for Korean peasants to brew makkoli at homes and share it during breaks of farm work or at lunchtime in midsummer, relieving fatigue and promoting harmony with neighbours. Such practice is still being carried on.
Makkolli brewing is on the national intangible cultural heritage list.
Pak Kyong Ran
More From Naenara (En)
Officials and members of the women's union had an oratorical meeting at the Hall of Women on July 25 to celebrate the 71st
July 27, 2024
Officials and members of the women's union had an oratorical meeting at the Hall of Women on July 25 to celebrate the 71st
July 27, 1953, is the day when the Korean people won a brilliant victory in the war against the US imperialists. Every year they
July 27, 2024
July 27, 1953, is the day when the Korean people won a brilliant victory in the war against the US imperialists. Every year they
Officials of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly of
July 27, 2024
Officials of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly of
A schoolchildren's story-telling meeting, “Victorious Wartime Generation and I”, took place at the Central Youth Hall in
July 27, 2024
A schoolchildren's story-telling meeting, “Victorious Wartime Generation and I”, took place at the Central Youth Hall in
The Koryo Medicine General Hospital boasts a versatile doctor who plays an indispensable role in mass-based sporting activities.
July 27, 2024
The Koryo Medicine General Hospital boasts a versatile doctor who plays an indispensable role in mass-based sporting activities.
Kim Tok Hun, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea,
July 27, 2024
Kim Tok Hun, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea,
Villages at the Sokjang Farm in Jangyon County, South Hwanghae Province of the DPRK, have turned into ideal villages for the
July 27, 2024
Villages at the Sokjang Farm in Jangyon County, South Hwanghae Province of the DPRK, have turned into ideal villages for the
Kim Juk Song, a war veteran resident in Ryonghung-dong No. 3, Taesong District of Pyongyang, is often invited to meetings with
July 27, 2024
Kim Juk Song, a war veteran resident in Ryonghung-dong No. 3, Taesong District of Pyongyang, is often invited to meetings with
DPRK player Pak Mi Song bagged a gold medal at the First International Summer Sports Contest of University Students, "Youth on the
July 27, 2024
DPRK player Pak Mi Song bagged a gold medal at the First International Summer Sports Contest of University Students, "Youth on the
The Agricultural Informatization Institute of the Academy of Agricultural Science has developed a new liquid silicon fertilizer
July 27, 2024
The Agricultural Informatization Institute of the Academy of Agricultural Science has developed a new liquid silicon fertilizer
Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Vladimirovich Ryzhenkov and his party visited the Tower of the Juche Idea. They listened to the
July 27, 2024
Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Vladimirovich Ryzhenkov and his party visited the Tower of the Juche Idea. They listened to the
Senior Party and government officials, including Kim Tok Hun and Choe Ryong Hae, members of the Presidium of the Political Bureau
July 26, 2024
Senior Party and government officials, including Kim Tok Hun and Choe Ryong Hae, members of the Presidium of the Political Bureau
During the Fatherland Liberation War (June 25, 1950 – July 27, 1953), Kim Il Sung , then supreme commander of the Korean People’s
July 26, 2024
During the Fatherland Liberation War (June 25, 1950 – July 27, 1953), Kim Il Sung , then supreme commander of the Korean People’s
Sadong Primary School in Sadong District, Pyongyang, is well-known for its extracurricular group activities. At the beginning the
July 26, 2024
Sadong Primary School in Sadong District, Pyongyang, is well-known for its extracurricular group activities. At the beginning the
The Songyo Knitwear Factory is paying primary attention to improving the quality of knitted clothes. In recent years, the factory
July 26, 2024
The Songyo Knitwear Factory is paying primary attention to improving the quality of knitted clothes. In recent years, the factory
The revolutionary will and indomitable fighting spirit of all the people are growing stronger to glorify forever the undying fame
July 26, 2024
The revolutionary will and indomitable fighting spirit of all the people are growing stronger to glorify forever the undying fame
A national children's paduk (go) contest and a national amateur paduk contest took place at the North Hwanghae Provincial
July 26, 2024
A national children's paduk (go) contest and a national amateur paduk contest took place at the North Hwanghae Provincial
A symposium on geological and biological diversity in the area of Mt Paektu took place at Samjiyon College of Technology and the
July 26, 2024
A symposium on geological and biological diversity in the area of Mt Paektu took place at Samjiyon College of Technology and the
Rajin and Sonbong pharmacies have been newly built and started their operation in Rason Municipality. The standard pharmacies have
July 26, 2024
Rajin and Sonbong pharmacies have been newly built and started their operation in Rason Municipality. The standard pharmacies have
Talks between Choe Son Hui, foreign minister of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and Maxim Vladimirovich Ruzenkov,
July 26, 2024
Talks between Choe Son Hui, foreign minister of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and Maxim Vladimirovich Ruzenkov,
More Articles
