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Korea’s greatest food, kimchi!

Korea’s greatest food, kimchi!

Kimchi, a fermented cabbage, is the most famous traditional food and icon that well-represents Korea itself, as it accompanies almost every meal served in the country. Depending on the main ingredient used, the name of the dish also differs where cabbage, radish, cucumber and/or other vegetables often play the role. In addition, there are many variations in recipes and forms, offering the fun of tasting different textures and flavours from all across the nation. Aside from these, the health benefits of kimchi are gaining more attention nowadays due to its enormous nutritional value, therefore, becoming an international wellbeing food, not just limited to Korea.

Origin of Kimchi 

For as long as humans have been harvesting crops, they have enjoyed the nutritional elements of vegetables. However, during the cold winter months when cultivation was practically impossible, it soon led to the development of a storage method known as ‘pickling’. Rich in vitamins and minerals, kimchi was introduced in Korea around the 7th century. Though, the exact date when hot pepper powder was first added remained unknown.

Nevertheless, it is presumed that beginning from the 12th century, several spices and seasonings began to gain popularity and it was not until the 18th century that hot pepper powder was finally used as one of the major ingredients for making kimchi. In fact, the very same kimchi as we know today has retained the same qualities and cooking preparations that prevailed ever since it was first introduced.

Nutritional Value of Kimchi

Eating kimchi highly recommended because of its nutritional values! Thanks to the fermentation process, kimchi is packed with tons of vitamins and minerals and it not only contains lactic acid bacteria, a bacterium that helps with digestion and combats against harmful bacteria, but also helps prevent the growth of cancer. It was also featured in ‘Health’, a famous health magazine, as one of the top five healthiest foods in the world.

Types of Kimchi

Since kimchi is so nutritious in many ways, and consumed throughout the entire year, it is often referred to as a staple food. This explains why you can find kimchi in any regions and households in Korea. Regions, temperatures and other environmental conditions have led to the creation of more than 100 different types of kimchi. Read on to learn more about this fascinating dish.

Baechu-kimchi

The most popular kimchi enjoyed by most Koreans, it is made with a whole salted cabbage (uncut) mixed with hot pepper powder, garlic, fish sauce and other spices, which is then left for fermenting. This particular kimchi varies by region, with the southern part of the country known for its saltier, spicier, and juicier flavours.

Kkakdugi: Diced Radish Kimchi
- View Google Images Here

The basic ingredients used for fermenting are similar to that of baechu-kimchi, with the exception that radish plays the main role in this particular case. Although radishes are available all year-round, winter radishes are sweeter and firmer, a top reason why many preserved side dishes are made of radishes.

Nabak-kimchi: Water Kimchi 
- View Google Images Here

This is the less spicy version of kimchi with both cabbages and radishes combined. Using a great deal of kimchi stock, and it tastes sweeter than other types of kimchi due to the addition of fruits such as apple and pear.

Yeolmu-kimchi: Young Summer Radish Kimchi  - View Google Images Here

Although they are thin and small, young summer radishes are one of the most common vegetables for kimchi during the spring and summer season. Prepared with or without the fermentation process, yeolmu-kimchi completes almost all food eaten on a hot summer day.

Oi-so-bagi: Cucumber Kimchi
- View Google Images Here

This kimchi is preferred during spring and summer days, as the crunchy texture and refreshing juice makes unique delicacies itself.

Current Trend with Kimch

Making of kimchi, or Gimjang in Korean, is a significant household event taking place annually all across the nation thus, the taste of the dish varies by families and regions. Recently, however, households in South Korea who still practice Gimjang have been decreasing and prefer to consume store-bought instead. Reacting to this consumer behaviour, more and more large and small supermarkets, and even convenient stores prepare large quantities of kimchi in their inventory. For the convenience of visitors and travellers coming to Korea, duty free shops located in major international airports and seaports also have airtight sealed kimchi products available. Just like Bob Dylan said, Times are a-changin’”

Here at SURA, we are committed to using only the freshest & the finest ingredients available. Because along with outstanding customer service, we believe it is our most sincere appreciation of our customers. We hope you will visit us soon to enjoy the excitement!

Article source: Visit Korea

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