Comparison of Fermentation Characteristics of Korean Traditional Alcoholic Beverages Prepared by Different Brewing Methods and Their Quality Changes after Aging

전통주의 제조방법별 발효 특성 및 숙성후 품질변화 비교

Fermentation characteristics and quality changes of the typical Korean traditional alcoholic beverages (Kwahaju, Sokokju, Baikhaju, Samhaeju and Hosanchun) were investigated during fermentation and after aging, respectively. They were prepared by their own brewing methods with respect to the same contents of rice and Nuruk (Korean-style bran koji). The consumed total sugar content of the alcoholic beverages (Sokokju, Baikhaju, Samhaeju and Hosanchun) which were brewed with the multiple input steps of seed mash and raw material (ABMIS) was higher than that of the alcoholic beverage (Kwahaju) which was brewed with the single input step (ABSIS). The pH values of all the beverages were similar and were ranged from 3.2 to 3.6. The acidity of ABMIS were lower than that of ABSIS, but alcohol concentration of ABMIS were higher. The fermentation period of the alcoholic beverages with triple input steps was the longest among them. The inner temperature and microbial growth in all the beverages increased at each of input steps of the raw materials. Fusel oil content of ABMIS was lower than that of ABSIS. Major components of the fusel oil were iso-amyl alcohol, iso-butanol, n-propanol, ethyl acetate and acetaldehyde, and its minor components were methanol and n-butanol. The results on quality changes of the alcoholic beverages after aging showed increase of alcohol in ABMIS, but decrease of sugar and acidity. Fusel oil contents of Kwahaju and Samhaeju decreased to be ranged from 3.1% to 13.9% after aging, but those of Sokokju, Baikhaju and Hosanchun increased to be ranged from 10.9% to 23.0%. Sensory evaluation of ABMIS showed better scores than that of ABSIS. It was suggested that the brewing method with multiple input steps of seed mash and raw material was one of the methods to increase fermentation efficiency for brewing the Korean traditional alcoholic beverages.