Beopju

Beopju (법주; 法酒) is a type of cheongju (clear rice wine). The name literally means "law liquor", as it is made following a fixed procedure.[1] On 1 November 1986, a variety called Gyodong-beopju was designated by the government of South Korea as Intangible Cultural Property (No. 86-3).[2]

Beopju
A bottle of Gyodong-beopju
TypeCheongju
Country of originKorea
Region of originEast Asia
Alcohol by volume16‒18%
Korean name
Hangul
법주
Hanja
法酒
Revised Romanizationbeopju
McCune–Reischauerpǒpchu
IPA[pʌp̚.t͈ɕu]

History

Beopju is mentioned in Illustrated Account of Goryeo, a 1124 book written by a Song Chinese envoy to Goryeo and History of Goryeo, a 1451 Joseon book on history.[3][4] Originally, it referred to the rice wines made with non-glutinous rice, for official or administrative use, such as for Jongmyo jerye (royal ancestral rite).[5] Later, it also referred to the rice wines made around Buddhist temples.[5]

Today, the variety called Gyodong-beopju, brewed with glutinous rice in the head-house of Gyerim Choe clan in Gyo-dong, Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, is renowned.[6] The variety was first made by Choe Gukjun, a Joseon official who worked at Saongwon, the government office in charge of royal kitchen.[7] He was chambong, a hands-on manager in charge of surasang (royal table). After retirement, he returned to his home in Gyeongju and brewed beopju. The recipe was handed down in the Gyerim Choe clan, currently to Bae Young-shin, a daughter-in-law married to the eighth generation grandson of Choe Gukjun, and her eldest son Choe Gyeong.[6]

Preparation

Gyodong-beopju is brewed from September to April. It is made only with glutinous rice, nuruk (dried fermentation starter) made of wheat, and water.[7]

See also

References
  1. "beopju" 법주. Doopedia (in Korean). Doosan Corporation. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  2. "Gyeongju". Korea Tourism Organization. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  3. Xú, Jīng (1124). Xuānhé fèngshǐ gāolì tújīng 宣和奉使高麗圖經 [Illustrated Account of Goryeo] (in Chinese). Song China – via Wikisource.
  4. Gim, Jongseo (1451). "Chehyeop chinhyangui" 체협친향의(禘祫親享儀). Goryeosa 고려사(高麗史) (in Literary Chinese). Joseon Korea.
  5. 유, 태종. "beopju" 법주. Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (in Korean). Academy of Korean Studies. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  6. "Gyodong-beopju" 교동법주. Doopedia (in Korean). Doosan Corporation. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  7. 임, 효진. "제86호-다호 경주 교동 법주" (in Korean). Retrieved 25 May 2017.
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