Fruit soju

Fruit soju (Korean: 과일소주, romanized: gwail-soju) is a flavored form of soju, an alcoholic drink originally from Korea. In 2015, Sunhari, the first fruit-flavored soju brand was released by beverage manufacturer Lotte Chilsung.

Fruit soju
Korean name
Hangul
과일소주
Hanja
果일燒酒
Revised Romanizationgwail-soju
McCune–Reischauerkwail-soju
IPA[kwa.il.so.dʑu]

History

Before the first fruit soju was released, standard soju was popular in Korea as an alcoholic drink for adults. However, some people found soju difficult to drink due to its high alcohol content and strong flavor. Its popularity declined because of Korean societal changes regarding work, which resulted in people not having enough time to drink.[1]

In 2015, the first fruit soju, Sunhari, was released. It was flavored with citron and had a lower alcohol content compared to traditional soju, making it popular with younger consumers.[2] After Sunhari had become popular in the soju market, other companies released their own versions. Joenday released three types; Chamisle released Jamongisle, a grapefruit flavored soju that became as popular as Sunhari. Sunhari retained the strong taste of traditional soju, whereas Jamongisle offered a sweeter, milder taste.[3]

The popularity of fruit soju continued for a year after the release of Sunhari, however in March 2016, sales decreased as the hype that first surrounded fruit soju disappeared. Today, fruit soju is not consumed often, and consequently, it is no longer widely available.[4][5] Currently, sparkling soju is preferred over all other types of this beverage.[6]

Some of Korea's fruit soju brands were released in the United States, including Dew on Jamong (자몽에 이슬) and Sunhari. Lotte Chilsung released Sunhari (순하리) in LA and Colorado, USA, exporting 9,600 boxes (20 bottles per box) in February 2016, and 150,000 boxes in March 2016. A Korean company located in Ohio produced three flavours of fruit soju.[7]

Characteristics
Joenday Blueberry
Joenday Pomegranate
Jinro Grapefruit

Fruit soju has a distinct fruit flavor and lower alcohol content compared to standard soju. The beverage comes in a variety of flavors, such as blueberry, grapefruit, lemon and apple. Special limited editions of fruit soju have been produced, such as a 9,000 bottle limited release batch of C1 Lime soju from the alcohol company Daesun Jujo (대선주조).[8]

Fruit soju contains large amounts of sugar, with each bottle containing 32.4 grams (1.14 oz). The calorie content of each bottle of fruit soju totals 400 kcal; more calories than one bowl of rice and 5 g (0.18 oz) more sugar than a serving of Coke, contributors to obesity and an increase of visceral fat.[9]

A 2016 article identified the most popular fruit soju for university students as Dew on Grapefruit (자몽에 이슬), with students indicating they preferred this less-sweet version of the beverage. The second-most popular fruit soju in this demographic was Bokbadeun Brother (복받은 부라더).[10]

Brands

These are the main brands of fruit soju:

Nat. Production Name
South Korea Lotte Chilsung Sunhari (순하리)
South Korea Joenday Joenday (좋은데이)
South Korea Hite Jinro Dew on grapefruit (자몽에 이슬)
South Korea C1 C1 soju (시원소주)

See also

References
  1. Lee, Joohyun (2015-02-16). "롯데주류, 14도로 확 낮추고 '유자' 첨가된 소주 3월초 출시" [Lotte Chilsung will release lower degree 14 and citron flavor soju]. news way.
  2. Ko, Yusun (2015-05-15). "'순하리'가 바꾼 소주 문화…되살아난 과일소주 열풍" [Sunhari changed Korean soju culture. Reborn fruit soju trend.]. Yonhapnews.
  3. Kwon, Eunyung (2016-03-24). "순하리 출시 1년… 과일소주로 주류시장 흔들다" [Since Sunhari is released 1 year, Fruit soju makes the new soju trend]. Hankookilbo.
  4. Lee, Gwangpyo (2016-03-09). "'과일'에서 '탄산'까지...소주 DNA가 바뀐다" [soju`s DNA has become changed]. EBN.
  5. Jang, Domin (2016-04-25). ""겨우 1년만에"…인기 '반짝' 일부 과일소주, 사라진다" [The rate of fruit soju in alcohol market is decreased]. New1.
  6. Ha, Yungin (2016-06-14). "과일소주 이어 탄산주 마케팅 '격돌'" [New soju trend: sparkling soju]. newsprime.co.kr.
  7. Lee, sungyun (2016-04-22). "[신상품] 미국생산 '슬림소주'" [fruit soju is produced in U.S.A. slim soju]. KoreanDaily Los Angeles.
  8. Kim, Sungdae (2016-05-16). "대선주조, 과일소주 '시원블루라임' 출시 라임맛·귀여운 캐릭터로 여심 공략" [Daesun jujo provided special limited edition fruit soju C1 Lime]. iusm.
  9. Roh, Eunji (2016-01-14). "과일맛 소주, 밥 한 공기보다 열량 높고 콜라만큼 달아" [The fruit soju is more sweet than Coke and more calories than one bowl of rice]. Yeonhapnew Tv.
  10. Kim, Hyunju (2016-01-22). "과일소주 '춘추전국시대'…대학생들의 선택은 OO이었다" [The most popular fruit soju to university students is ...]. segyeilbo.
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