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FOR THOSE of you who love Korean dramas, you are certainly no stranger to this one drink, soju. Reported from www.cambridge.org soju is a distilled alcoholic drink originating from Korea.
This drink has become one of the most popular drinks in the world due to the pop culture event of the Korean Wave (Hallyu) which is represented by the growing popularity of K-pop, Korean dramas, and Korean food in the world today.
Soju is a drink similar to liquor or liquor which is distilled to get a high alcohol content from distillation technology by separating alcohol from water and other compounds from fermentation materials.
This drink, which tastes almost the same as vodka, and is colorless and clear, although not as famous as other alcoholic drinks such as whiskey and vodka, is now becoming increasingly popular in the world. Although it has long been a favorite drink in Korea and is perfect when paired with Korean cuisine, soju is enjoying a growing popularity in the West.
Soju was first distilled in Korea in the 1300s, historians believe that the Mongols brought the Persian distillation technique to Korea. In the early 1900s soju production was suppressed, so sake and beer became more popular.
The meaning of the word soju itself is liquor that is burned, this leads to how the alcohol is distilled at high temperatures. Most bottles of soju contain 16% to 45% alcohol by volume (ABV, 32 to 90 proof). Many older people prefer the stronger tasting bottle of soju. While younger drinkers prefer a lighter taste with a lower alcohol content.
This liquor is traditionally made from rice, it can also be sweet potato, barley, tapioca or wheat, or a combination of these ingredients. So, it’s not surprising that soju is made with starch combined. Soju made from sweet potatoes is sweeter than soju made from other starches.
Soju is sometimes called Korean vodka because of its neutral and clean taste. But most commercial soju sold today is sweeter and less intense than vodka. Soju usually has astringency, so a bitter taste may be felt beneath the subtle sweetness of the soju.
Similar to vodka, soju is also made with many flavors, even to the point of being packaged and boxed like juice. This is especially appealing to younger drinkers, as it tastes like fruit juice. The flavors of soju that can be found are apple, blueberry, orange, grape, grapefruit, peach, pineapple, and pomegranate. [sources/photo special]
