''Beopju'' () is a type of ''

cheongju Cheongju () is the capital and largest city of North Chungcheong Province in South Korea. History Cheongju has been an important provincial town since ancient times. In the Cheongju Mountains, specifically in the one where Sangdang Sanseong is ...

'' (clear rice wine). The name literally means "law liquor", as it is made following a fixed procedure. On 1 November 1986, a variety called ''Gyodong-beopju'' was designated by the

government of South Korea The Government of South Korea is the union government of the Republic of Korea, created by the Constitution of South Korea as the executive, legislative and judicial authority of the republic. The president acts as the head of state and is th ...

as Intangible Cultural Property (No. 86-3).

History

''Beopju'' is mentioned in '' Illustrated Account of Goryeo'', a 1124 book written by a

Song A song is a musical composition intended to be performed by the human voice. This is often done at distinct and fixed pitches (melodies) using patterns of sound and silence. Songs contain various forms, such as those including the repetit ...

Chinese envoy to

Goryeo Goryeo (; ) was a Korean kingdom founded in 918, during a time of national division called the Later Three Kingdoms period, that unified and ruled the Korean Peninsula until 1392. Goryeo achieved what has been called a "true national unificat ...

and ''

History of Goryeo The ''Goryeosa'' (), or ''History of Goryeo'', is the main surviving historical record of Korea's Goryeo dynasty. It was composed nearly a century after the fall of Goryeo, during the reign of King Sejong, undergoing repeated revisions between ...

'', a 1451 Joseon book on history. Originally, it referred to the rice wines made with non-glutinous rice, for official or administrative use, such as for ''

Jongmyo jerye ''Jongmyo Jerye'' or ''Jongmyo Daeje'' is a rite held for worshipping the late kings and queens of the Joseon Dynasty in Jongmyo Shrine, Seoul, South Korea. It is held every year on the first Sunday of May. The Jongmyo rite is usually accompanie ...

'' (royal ancestral rite). Later, it also referred to the rice wines made around

Buddhist Buddhism ( , ), also known as Buddha Dharma and Dharmavinaya (), is an Indian religion or philosophical tradition based on teachings attributed to the Buddha. It originated in northern India as a -movement in the 5th century BCE, and ...

temples. Today, the variety called ''Gyodong-beopju'', brewed with glutinous rice in the head-house of

Gyerim The Gyerim is a small woodland in Gyeongju National Park, Gyeongju, South Korea. The name literally means "rooster forest." The grove lies near the old site of the Silla kingdom palace in central Gyeongju. Nearby landmarks include the Banwolseon ...

Choe clan in Gyo-dong, Gyeongju,

North Gyeongsang Province North Gyeongsang Province ( ko, 경상북도, translit=Gyeongsangbuk-do, ) is a province in eastern South Korea. The province was formed in 1896 from the northern half of the former Gyeongsang province, and remained a province of Korea until the ...

, is renowned. The variety was first made by Choe Gukjun, a Joseon official who worked at '' Saongwon'', the government office in charge of royal kitchen. 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.

Preparation

Gyodong-beopju is brewed from September to April. It is made only with glutinous rice, ''

nuruk ''Nuruk'' () is a traditional Korean fermentation starter. It is used to make various types of Korean alcoholic beverages including '' takju'', ''cheongju'', and soju. It is an essential ingredient in Shindari and is mixed with rice.Nowicki, Step ...

'' (dried fermentation starter) made of wheat, and water. Traditionally, it is being fermented for 100 days and has therefore also been called Baekilju (100 days liquor).

References

Korean alcoholic drinks Rice wine Important Intangible Cultural Properties of South Korea {{Korea-cuisine-stub

History

Preparation

See also

References