Munbae-ju

Munbaeju is a Korean traditional distilled liquor that is considered one of the finest Korean spirits. Its name consists of the words munbae (문배), which means "wild pear" (Pyrus ussuriensis var. seoulensis),[1] and ju (주; 酒), meaning "alcohol". This name is derived from its fruity scent from the wild pear, though no pear is used in its production.

Munbae-ju
Korean name
Hangul
Hanja
문배酒
Revised RomanizationMunbaeju
McCune–ReischauerMunpaechu

Ingredients and production

Munbaeju is brewed from wheat, hulled millet, Indian millet, and nuruk (fermentation starter), then distilled.

Origins

Although it is South Korea's "Important Intangible Cultural Property Number 86-1", it originated from North Korea's Pyeongyang. Its origins are traced to the Goryeo Dynasty. The water used to produce Munbaeju comes from the Taedong River. A royal subject of Wang Geon presented him with home-brewed munbaeju, which his family had made with a secret recipe for generations. Wang Geon was so impressed with its taste, that he gave the subject a high-ranking position in the government. Ever since this event, Munbaeju was a wine drunk by kings, and is commonly served to important foreign dignitaries during welcoming receptions.[2]

See also

References
  1. Ju Jinsun (주진순). 서울의 희귀종 문배나무 기준 표본목 (PDF) (in Korean). National Forestry Cooperatives Federation. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2005-05-24. Retrieved 2008-06-16.
  2. "Munbaeju, A Wine Fit for A King". Arirang TV. September 10, 2007. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved September 10, 2007.
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