A cultural heritage of Korea, MOONBAESOOL 천 년의 세월과 향을 담다, 문배술

Images by Lee Ji Min

MOONBAESOOL 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; moonbae, which means “wild pear”, and ju, meaning “alcohol”. It is given this name because the wine has a fruity scent of the wild pear, although no pear is used in its production. MOONBAESOOL is brewed from wheat, hulled millet, Indian millet, and a fermentation starter(nuruk), then distilled.

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 MOONBAESOOL comes from the Taedong River. A royal subject of Wang Geon presented him with home-brewed MOONBAESOOL, 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, MOONBAESOOL was a wine drunk by kings, and is commonly served to important foreign dignitaries during welcoming receptions.

문배나무의 과실 향을 가득 담고 있는 대한민국의 전통 소주, 문배주. 실제로 문배주 제조에는 문배나무 과실이 사용되는 것은 아니며 일체의 다른 첨가물 없이 메조, 찰수수와 누룩으로 빚는 순곡 증류주이다. 사실 문배주는, 평양 인근에서 마시던 북한의 향토주였으며 일제 강점기에는 평양 주암산 아래에 있던 평창양조장이 문배주 제조로 유명했다.

특히 해외 국빈들이 국내를 방문했을 때 자주 공식석상에 등장한 술로서 빌 클린턴, 미하일 고르바초프 등이 한국을 방문하여 문배주를 즐겼다. 또한 2000년 남북 정상 회담에서 당시 김대중 대통령과 김정은 국방위원장이 나눠 마신 술도 문배주일 정도로 한국을 대표하는 술 중 하나이다. 현재, 문배주는 충청남도 면천의 두견주, 경주 교동 최씨가의 법주와 함께 대한민국 전통주 중에서도도 지방 무형문화재가 아닌 국가지정 중요무형문화재로 보호되고 있다.

 

 

Tasting note of MOONBAESOOL

Story
It’s smell is like Korean wild pear, “Moonbae,” — although the fruit itself is not used in the brewing process. Designated by Korean government in 1986 as major important intangible cultural treasure properties No. 86-ga.

Ingredients
MOONBAESOOL is brewed from hulled millet, Indian millet and a fermentation starter(nuruk), then distilled.

Type & Feature
Distilled soju (no additive). ALC 40% – smooth and clear in taste. MOONBAESOOL boasts a rich, velvety sweetness on the first sip, followed by a dash of fiery heat pointing to its 40 percent alcohol content.

Matching with Food
Seafood : Tuna, oyster
Meat : Korean-Style Barbecued Beef, Lamb / Dessert : Chocolate

How to Drink
Enjoy with ice or Tonic in the proportion of three to one

 

 

Contributor, Lee Ji Min
She is a president of the Korean web site ‘Daedonyeojudo(酒)’ which provides information of ‘Real Korean Alcohol’. Also, you can meet some cartoons, way to more delicious, traditional cocktail recipe for all over the world.

이지민 대표는 대한한국의 명주를 전 세계에 소개하는 사이트인 대동여주도를 운영하며  전통주 보급에 앞장서는 첨병으로 활동하고 있다.