Mass-produced soju, often found in small green bottles, are distilled from cheaper ingredients, like sweet potatoes, wheat and/or tapioca, then rounded out with artificial sweeteners so the final product has a sugary aftertaste to mask the bitter astringency. Following the liberation of Korea from Japan and the Korean War years in the 1950s, soju production was again put into jeopardythis time by the rice shortage in the 1960s. Soju is widely available in Korea and other Asian countries. The flimsy promise of preventing headaches is C1's main draw, but we're not trying to drink enough of the clear liquid to find out if it's true. It's light, inoffensive, low in calories, and it's easy to swig an entire bottle without realizing it. Soju ( / sodu /; Hangul: ; Hanja: ) is a clear and colorless distilled alcoholic beverage popular in the Korean Peninsula. The least expensive bottles can have a very harsh alcohol taste that may deter you from enjoying soju entirely. The floral, flirty taste is dry on the palette and works for a soju novice's first steps into higher-end bottles without breaking the bank on polarizing flavors. Soju is a clear alcoholic beverage iconic to South Korea. Sojus alcohol content varies, but usually falls in the 20-25 percent ABV range. Sojus ABV is between 20-25 percent, which is half of vodkas ABV (usually around 40 percent). Soju is traditionally made from rice, but that changed during the Korean War, according to Bran Hill, a distiller at Van Brunt Stillhouse who makes a traditional soju called Tokki. But there are other ways Koreans indulge in the juicy and refreshing goodness of grapefruit. 3. Meaning something akin to "darling" or "sweetheart," Yobo soju might be the only essential American soju for an adult bar cart we've tasted; disarmingly cool, effortlessly chic, and undeniably sippable, Yobo Soju represents thevaledictorian of soju's newest class. And back in the motherland? Additionally, impurities in soju can cause headaches and stomach upset even if you have not drunk too much. At that time, soju production was suppressed and sake and beer became more popular. Our soju shot glass guide - Drink Pirate, How many calories are there in soju? The package dimension of the product is 2.5"L x 2.5"W x 8.5"H ; It is a cleardistilled liquor made from rice, like many drinks in Korea. A graduate of Brown University and a collaborator on several cookbooks, her previous experience includes stints at Food & Wine, Food Network, three meal kit companies, a wine shop in Brooklyn, and Chez Panisse, the pioneering restaurant in Berkeley, California. Its no surprise that plums are used to flavor soju, given the popularity of plum flavored beverages in Korea. The Ultimate Guide to Finding the Perfect Gift for the Bourbon Lover, Taste the 21st Amendments Hell or High Watermelon, Beer Taps The Different Types and How They Work. We're pulling for Isae's expansion to the U.S. market, but due to Isae's small batch nature, it's difficult to track down Isae Soju stateside, but the newcomer shows promise and could be one of our go-to bottles in the coming years. Additionally, because children metabolize alcohol faster than adults, even a small amount of soju can lead to high blood-alcohol concentrations that can be extremely dangerous. Definitely not bad though, a solid middle. Has 23 percent alcohol by volume. Korea and Japan produce two other alcoholic beverages that are similar as well. Why not try a shot (or three) of citrus soju to wash down your evening meal? Has 23 percent alcohol by volume. [1] [2] [3] It is usually consumed neat. As with whiskey, you can add a large ice cube to a glass of soju, which will soften the burn from the alcohol. It's not uncommon for soju to be made with a combination of starches. Soju can often be found in restaurants and storesincluding Asian food marketsthat don't have a full liquor license because it's lower proof and often categorized (mistakenly) as a rice wine. Traditionally, soju is enjoyed socially along with food and snacks. Premium soju made through traditional methods has a much higher ABV, sometimes reaching up to over 50 percent, but is considerably smoother, with different brands boasting their own distinctive tastes and fragrances, which range from floral to fruity. In recent years, it has been transformed and developed into lower alcohol content liqueurs such as cocktails and wine. Our soju shot glass guide, Korea's favorite soju and beer cocktail - how to make somaek - Drink Pirate, Does Cointreau go bad? Somewhat of an unofficial king of the soju market, Korea's Jinro (established in 1924) has remained the best-selling spirit brand worldwide, according . Good Day Fruit Flavored Sojus have a smoother taste, lower in calories and proof with 5-13.5% alcohol content which makes it smoother to drink. With an alcohol content of 13%, JINRO STRAWBERRY is a perfect match for any occasion. It's left unfiltered and has a tangy flavor because it naturally contains a lactic acid similar to that found in yogurt. Golden Barley soju, for instance, has crisp notes of Korean plum and stone fruits against a subtle backdrop of savory grain. This must be one of the best Jinro soju flavors, as theyve decided to can it and make it available as a single serve drink! Ranging from being meant to drink while casually out on the town, to swig while making your way through a feast, savoring while sipping gently, and shaking into an original cocktail, soju, like every other spirit, deserves the stage and consideration of the major player in the beverage world it has become in the last 10 years. The. Soju is distilled, like vodka, but has about half of the alcohol by volume (ABV). Jinro, the best-selling soju brand in South Korea, has been selling soju since 1924. Its the best-selling liquor in the world that you need to try right now. Alcohol depresses the central nervous system, which slows down your brain activity and causes you to relax and become sleepy. Alcohol Type: Soju: Flavor: Peach: Number of Items: 1: Alcohol Content: 14 Percent by Volume: Liquid Contents Description: Liquor and Spirits: Item Form: Liquid: Liquid Volume: 375 Milliliters: Item Weight: 1 Pounds: Package Weight: 1 Pounds: See more. Why is soju so cheap in Korea? This drink is not that well-known in the United States and the Western world, but is on the up and up. But if youve never had the spirit, or even heard of it, heres everything you need to know about soju to get acquainted. It smelled and tasted fine, but it was slightly artificial. Try These Substitutes, 6 Foods to Keep On Hand for After-School Snacking. It is reminiscent of the traditional vodka but with less alcohol percentage, making it the best soju flavor for beginners. Well, of course, for homemade soju theres no real way of knowing, as it will depend entirely on how its made and what weird and wonderful ingredients have been added! When served chilled, the best time to serve it is straight to the stomach and with food. of this spirit, its making those unfamiliar, very soju-curious. Historians believe that the Mongols brought the Persian technique of distilling arak to Korea. Soju is usually between 20 and 45 percent alcohol by volume, making it slightly stronger than most vodka. A bottle we reach for because of it's uniqueness to both the market and our bar cart, West 32 is a far cry from the one essential bottle you need to round out your bottle shelf, but rather is a one-of-a-kind addition to a healthy spirit collection. It can also be used as a substitute for vodka and gin in cocktails. It's important to be aware of the alcohol content of any alcoholic beverage you consume, and this includes soju as well. Restaurants that want to serve soju dont have to apply for (or pay for) expensive liquor licenses in New York and California. South Korea- Soju, Korean Vodka, is clear distilled liquor that's made mostly from rice and is the most popular alcoholic beverage in Korea. The alcohol content can vary greatly depending on the quality and production process, but generally speaking, soju is much higher in alcohol than most other alcoholic drinks. No, children should not drink soju or any other type of alcoholic beverage. Several of the most popular soju brands contain no more than 24 percent alcohol. Soju Brands Available in the United States, Brewing and Brawling: How PBR and Game Changer Wrestling Revived the Worlds Most Elusive Set of Trading Cards. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. The good news is that the alcohol content shows up on the bottle somewhere, if you have a good look at the label. The government made it illegal to use rice for soju, so distilleries began to use sweet potatoes, wheat, barley, and tapioca as replacements. Found naturally in asparagus, the amino acid added to C1 Soju is thought to alleviate headaches brought on by over-drinking and shield liver cells against toxins. Thomas Ashford is a highly educated brewer with years of experience in the industry. Bourbon vs. Soju, or "sweeter vodka" in Korean, is an alcoholic beverage with a milder flavor profile than vodka. Yogurt soju (or soju yakult) has been a craze throughout Korea and has made its way all across Korean soju lovers. You never pour your own soju; its always consumed as a communal drink. Both reminiscent of nougat and acorn, Charm soju carries a thicker, creamier mouthfeel that can stand up to some of the spicy dishes Korean cuisine is known for, as well as a smoothness handy for cocktails most commonly made with vodka like cosmos, and flavored martinis. Sake typically has a lower alcohol content than soju. Make your favorite takeout recipes at home with our cookbook! After learning to make soju in 2011, native New Yorker Brandon Cook returned stateside to hone his craft and released the first bottle of Tokki Soju in 2016. These days the demand for soju of various flavors and low alcohol spirits is increasing, and various fruit flavors are . Against the grain when compared to most sojus,Pungjeon Sagye Winter Soju strives for a personality all its own and isn't over-reliant on multiple filtrations or the inclusions of sugars or flavors to create a soju that sings. The Korean government is even discouraging the planting of grapevines, and so soju producers are more likely to use either the few domestically grown varieties, or more likely imported green grapes for soju production. Somewhat of an unofficial king of the soju market, Korea's Jinro (established in 1924) has remained the best-selling spirit brand worldwide, according to Vinepair, since 2002, and the Jinro name alone resonates and is synonymous with the rice spirit. 750 ml. However, the third of the top-ranking brands, Chum Churum, has a slightly lower alcohol percentage for its Original soju of 17%. Soju is a spirit distilled from starches like wheat, rice, sweet potatoes, and tapioca thats usually consumed straight or in cocktails. No, soju does not get people drunk easily. Yobo: A grape-based soju made in New York State. I came back home with a total of 9 flavors (from L-R in above image): Pomegranate, Peach (Good Day), Peach (Chum Churum), Grapefruit, Citrus, Pineapple, Green Grape, Apple, and Blueberry. Caught between Australian terrain, Korean culture, and contemporary marketing, Hoju emerges as a hip, thoughtful bottle of soju, if not a little on the nose. Some are made with rice or other grains, while others are made with sweet potato or other starches. One soju is equivAlent to about two beers. They're a far cry from the artisanal soju being made in Korea and, more recently, in the U.S. Made from winter wheat and organic rice, Isae rejects the notion of flavor additives and other unnecessary agents in its soju. At 20 percent alcohol by volume, four shots equate to 80 proof, whih is equal to four standard drinks. In fact, regular soju tastes pretty much like diluted vodka. Unlike American bourbon, Hwayo keeps a master distiller or an employee whose job duties entail overseeing the consistency of the spirit on staff. Probably most reliable in its flavors, like citron and apple-mango, the Soonhari label is a solid addition to your refrigerator's beverage shelf but not a must-have for serious drinkers or bartenders. The brand only makes the one, unflavored product meant to be enjoyed on the rocks and in cocktails, and can cost upward of $50 a bottle, which is steep for a product known for its affordability. Stoked to try soju now? Though both drinks are made from rice, soju oftentimes includes other grains, botanicals, and even starches, resulting in s sweeter taste and higher alcohol content, notes Vinepair. On average, soju tends to have an alcohol content that ranges between 20% and 24%. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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