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Traditional Korean Drinks |
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 Traditionally,
Korean people have perceived foods as something given to them by
nature. Alcohol was considered as a medicine that has a
mysterious power. That is why traditional Korean alcohol was
made with oriental medicinal herbs for the purposes of inducing
appetite, disinfecting, soothing, relieving pain, and other
health-related effects. Traditional alcohol especially became a
necessity for traditional worshipping ceremonies, playing the
role of deepening the sense of roots between ancestors and
descendants.
Traditional Korean alcohols are purely fermented so their
alcohol levels are very low. |
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Beneficial functions |
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-Preventing heart disease
Heart disease is the most commonly mentioned cause of death for
modern people. With a more Westernized eating style, the
possibility of getting heart disease is growing. A little amount
of alcohol helps to prevent Heart disease by increasing the
level of HDL. For this purpose, wines or traditional Korean
alcohols are very popular.
-Preventing cohesion of thrombocytes
A small amount of alcohol acts positively on heart diseases,
which are caused by blood cohesion.
-Reducing stress
The word stress causes much confusion these days. When defined
as an excessive amount of tension, drinking alcohol can help
relieve it. There are many theories related to alcohol's
function to relieve stress. In the perspective of brain
physiology, the benefits of alcohol are very interesting.
The cerebrum contains the new cortex and old cortex. The most
important element in the human brain is the new cortex and it is
located on the outer layer of cerebral cortex. The new cortex is
closely related to reasoning, while the old cortex deals with
instinct and emotion. Alcohol acts to numb the new cortex for a
short period of time, exerting influence on the old cortex. This
means that alcohol loosens superior control of the new cortex,
setting free the stressful mindset. Like a tranquilizer numbing
the old and new cortex, it relieves stress. That is one theory
as to why people who drink alcohol with meals can live longer
than others.
-Traditional alcohol is alkaline
Traditional alcohol contains organic acids, an aldehyde, and
ester. It also has high levels of vitamins and essential amino
acids. Other brewed alcohols are composed of flavors and
alcohol, while traditional alcohols are naturally fermented,
like wine. Thus the harmonious mixture of these ingredients
contributes to health. Traditional alcohols with special fruit
flavors are especially alkaline.
-Traditional alcohols and drinking it with
meals
As mentioned above, proper consumption of alcohol is good for
health. However, it can be very hard to control the amount of
alcohol consumption in Korea. That is why drinking liquor with
meals is very desirable, since you can easily control the amount
of consumption. In addition to adding to the pleasure of eating
delicious food, enjoying it with family members can also be a
good chance to teach proper drinking manners to children.
-Well-fermented traditional alcohol does
not give headaches or hangovers
Usually, traditional alcohols made with good malt and
fermentation processes give less likelihood of headaches.
Ingredients produced from boiled materials decreases headache
causing materials. |
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Traditional drinks for bathing |
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 In
Korea and Japan, alcohol was frequently used for bathing.
Alcohol for bathing was made with rice, as the ingredients
contained in rice shells are believed to be good for skin care
as they contain protein, minerals, and other vitamins. The only
difference between alcohols for bathing in Korea and Japan is
that Korea ones were usually made with the rice shells crushed
in the process, while Japanese ones were made after the rice was
carved to remove the shells. This alcohol was very popular for
women for its excellent effectiveness on skin care. |
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-heats the body within a short period of
time.
An alcohol bath is good in that it can lessen skin damage caused
by heating a body in hot water. It also helps maintains body
heat for a longer period. It can help prevent the cold that you
might get after a bath. The skin's metabolism gets activated to
absorb nutrients and discharge excretions from the skin,
creating healthier skin.
-removes the dirt in pores.
Alcohol melts oils and dirt in skin pores and hairs easily.
-excellent moisturizing effect
Alcohol baths have an excellent moisturizing effect and help
balance skin structure due to a water-soluble ingredient.
Providing the skin with nutrients from naturally fermented
ingredients and moisturizing effects enables skin to remain
beautiful.
-promotes recovery from fatigue and
enables a sound sleep
Hot baths help people to sleep soundly by enhancing the body's
metabolism level. Similarly, naturally fermented glucose helps
reduce muscle fatigue and aids in sound sleep by maintaining a
slightly elevated body temperature for a while, resulting in
faster recovery from fatigue.
-bath water revives spirit of dead water.
A bath works for the body in 3 respects. First, the temperature
of the water transfers to the body, helping to warm it. Second,
water pressure has a similar affect as finger pressure therapy.
Third, buoyancy enables muscles and joints to release their
strains and regain each part's functions with easier body
movements. |
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Categorization based on purposes |
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This categorization is based on purposes of traditional
alcohols.
-sangyongju
These are for drinking all year round. Most traditional yakju
are included in this category.
-yakmiju
These are specialized for those who seek medicinal results. They
have their own special functions, tastes, and flavors.
-gineungju
These are used for special occasions, bathing, and cooking.
-sesiju
This is made according to special seasonal customs.
Cheongmyeongju is believed to enhance your hearing, and
changpoju is used on Dano Day (Lunar May 5). Other special
alcohols made only once for special seasonal occasions are also
included in this category. |
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