An Analysis of Consumption and Preferences of the Korean Traditional Drinks by Women in Different Age Groups

여성의 연령에 따른 한국 전통음료의 음용실태 및 선호도에 관한 조사 분석

The purpose of this study was to analyze women's consumption and preferences of the Korean traditional drinks. For this purpose, 205 women aged between teens and 60s living in Seoul were sampled randomly for a questionnaire survey conducted from August 21 to 27, 2003. The results of this study were summarized as follows: The percentile of age groups accounted for 15.6% of the subjects in their teens, 19.5% in 20s, 18.0% in 30s, 20.5% in 40s, 13.7% in 50s, and 12.7% in 60s, respectively. On the other hand, those who graduated from colleges accounted for most (49.8%) of the subjects, those employed by companies for most (23.9%) and those earning 2 million wons or more for most (40.5%). Subjects' preferences about the traditional drinks were as follows: The most popular traditional drink across all age groups was Sikhe (29.8%: fermented rice drink), followed by Sujonggwa (10.7%: dried persimmons punch) and green tea (8.8%). Most of those in their teens and 60s consumed the drinks to relieve from the thirst, while those between 20s and 50s to be healthy. The majority (31.7%) of the subjects were consuming the traditional drinks once or twice per week. Those in their teens and 40s consumed the drinks between 3 and 5 o'clock in the afternoon, while those in their 20s, 30s and 50s as they want, and those in their 60s after exercise and as they pleased. 63.4% of the subjects across all age groups bought the drinks at supermarkets, and 60.5% of them were consuming 200ml each time. The reasons of subjects' preferences of the traditional drinks were as follows: The most important factor perceived by all age groups was taste (61.0%), followed by nutrition (15.6%). The most preferred point of taste was 'light' (51.7%). Those in their teens preferred the drinks without grains, while the other age groups preferred the drinks with some grains. Those in their teens preferred canned drinks, while the other age groups preferred the bottled drinks. Consumers' desire for improvement of traditional drinks were as follows: Those in their teens and 20s were satisfied with the current prices of the drinks, while the other age groups hoped for lower prices. On the other hand, those in their 50s answered that the drinks should not be sweet, while the other age groups hoped that the tastes of the drinks would be improved in diverse ways. 53.2% of the consumers hoped that the flavors of the traditional drinks would be diversified. 67.3% of them hoped that the traditional drinks would be improved to be functional drinks, while 54.6% of them hoped that the drinks would be processed in a more hygienic way.