Traditional Fermented Food Products in Korea

한국의 발효식품에 관하여

Fermented foods available in Korea may be classified into four groups, namely, fermented soybean products, fermented cereal products, fermented vegetable products, and fermented fishery products based on raw materials used. The representative fermented foods based on soybean are Kanjang(soysauce), Doenjang(fermented soybean pastes), and Kochujang(red pepper added-fermented soybean paste). Such fermented products are made using Meju(functioning as a starter and prepared by fermentation of steamed soybean mash) as an essential ingredient, and used widely as a soup base and/or in seasoning side-dishes for everyday meals year around. Excepting Sikhae, all fermented products based on rice and other cereal grains are of alcoholic nature. Takju (Makgeolli) used to be made using rice as the major raw material, however, mainly due to the shortage of rice in recent years, other cereals, such as, barely, corn, and wheat flours are also used to replace rice today. Owing to such changes in the raw materials. the popularity of Takju has been somewhat reduced, yet it is still widely consumed in rural areas. Although Chungju is a popular rice wine with superior qualify over Takju, the amount consumed is considerably limited. The highest qualify rice wine, Bupju, in particular, is made by a low temperature fermentation using glutinous rice. Kimchi is an unique fermented vegetable product of long tradition in Korea. Although it was for consumption mainly in winter season serving as a source of vitamins, today it is widely used throughout the year. Except Kkakdugi and Dongchimi, all of the fermented vegetable products contain salted Korean cabbage as an essential item, while they abound in varieties depending on material composition and methods of processing, and also on seasons and localities Next to Kimchi in this category is Kkakdugi made of raddish in popularity and quantity consumed. The four groups of fermented food products described above are reviewed in some detail and evaluated in terms of their nutritional significances, processes and microorganisms involved. and their commercial potentials. Jeotkal (or Jeot) is a name given to all fermented products of fishery origin. A number of Jeot can be prepared by adding salt and allowing fermentation to the raw materials such as shrimp, anchovy octopus, clam, oyster, etc.