Buan Mulberry Wine
Buan Mulberry WineBuan Mulberry Wine made with Buan-gun’s signature crop, mulberries.
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LocationBuan-gun, Jeollabuk-do
- CategoryFolk Food ∙ Local Specialties
- Korean부안 뽕주
- Chinese扶安-酒
- FieldPolitics, Economy and Society / Economy & Industry
- Contents TypeSpecialty
- Definition
- A fruit liquor made of mulberries grown in Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do
- Summary
- Buan Mulberry Wine is a fruit liquor made of top-quality mulberries popularly cultivated in Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do. The fruit is fermented and aged at low temperature for a long period of time. Best known for its sweetness and gentle texture unique to mulberries, Buan Mulberry Wine is a specialty product in the Buan region which can be enjoyed by any adult of drinking age.
- Origins and Development
- Buan Mulberry Wine is made of only the ripest mulberries harvested in June. Mulberry wine was so precious that it was also called “Sangsimju,” which means “a liquor enjoyed by mountain gods.” In Korean, the liquor is called “Bbongju” these days but was originally called “Odiju”. Buan Silkworm Town founded in Yuyu Village produced various products using mulberry trees and silkworms, from which a premium liquor featuring the best mulberries coddled by the sea breeze was developed. Then the common name “Odiju” was changed to “Bbongju” to differentiate the product from similar mulberry wines produced in other regions and to promote the local resources of Buan County. After the name change, sales of the wine rapidly rose and in just two years after introduction, sales reached the KRW 10 billion mark. The medicinal effect and value of Buan Mulberry Wine won the heart of wine lovers who also wanted to enjoy the health benefits. The popularity of Buan Mulberry Wine found traction not only Korea but also the rest of the world.
- Production Method and Characteristics
- Buan Mulberry Wine is a fruit liquor made of 100% mulberries produced in Buan from the end of May to mid-June. Only the top-quality fruit is selected, smashed, and fermented before aging again. Mulberries are naturally fermented for 60 days and aged for another 6 months, and the fruit is filtered two times. The finished wine has low alcohol content and has a characteristic scent, subtly berry-like, colored in jade green, and tastes sweet, smooth and rich with a lasting savory accent. The fruity wine can easily become everyone’s favorite and goes with almost any dish to enhance its flavor. Gently coddled by the sea breeze, Buan mulberries, the main ingredient of the wine, are rich in minerals and high in sweetness. It is known to strengthen digestive organs, boost energy, and alleviate high blood pressure. Its high content of vitamin B1, B2 and C and linoleic acid are known to prevent arteriosclerosis.
- Current Status including Relevant Industry
- Buan Mulberry Wine was selected as the official ceremonial wine at the K-Farm Jeollabuk-do Exposition for two consecutive years and also selected as the official drink at Asia-Pacific Scout Board. The Seoul Metropolitan Government also has helped promote the excellence of Buan Mulberry Wine, the specialty product of Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do. Buan County has given its full support to promote the wine and expand its distribution channels.
Buan Mulberry Wine is currently manufactured by two leading companies, Dongjinjujo and Buan-Gangsan Myeongju. Founded in 1977, Dongjinjujo is a brewery that produces various traditional liquors for the past 40 years out of Buan, the area best known for its ideal environment to brew traditional liquors. This Korean corporation has continued to carry on the spirit and tradition of Korean traditional liquors by producing fruit liquors with unique tastes and flavors. The company aims to develop traditional liquors catering to the taste of contemporary drinkers and pave a brighter future for Korean traditional liquors. Dongjinjujo has exported Buan Mulberry Wine to China, Japan, Canada and Europe while recently penetrating into Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam and the Philippines. It is noteworthy that Korean mulberry wine has gained traction in the North American and European market which is dominated by grape wines. Since its founding in 2006, Buan-Gangsan Myeongju introduced mulberry wine as its first product and obtained a patent and certification for the food safety management system while continuously developing new products. The company selects only top-quality mulberries to make the fruit wine based on the spirit of Korean tradition specializing in brewing liquors and emphasis on trust in safe food products. The brewery directly purchases a large quantity of mulberry from local farms, which helps increase their sales. Fully equipped with modern facilities, Buan-Gangsan Myeongju supplies wines to 60 franchise outlets nationwide. The company also exports wines, traditional liquors, and rice wines to China.
- See Also