Munbae-ju

Munbaeju is a Korean traditional distilled liquor produced in South Korea and is considered to be one of the finest Korean spirits. Its name consists of the two words; munbae (문배), which means "wild pear" (Pyrus ussuriensis var. seoulensis),[1] and ju (주; 酒), meaning "alcohol". It is given this name because the wine has the fruity scent of the wild pear, although no pear is used in its production.

Munbae-ju
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
  • Korean wine
  • Korean culture
  • Important Intangible Cultural Properties of Korea

References
  1. Ju Jinsun (주진순). 서울의 희귀종 문배나무 기준 표본목 (PDF) (in Korean). National Forestry Cooperatives Federation. Retrieved 2008-06-16.
  2. "Munbaeju, A Wine Fit for A King". Arirang TV. September 10, 2007.
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