Soju

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Soju is an alcoholic beverage with origins in Korea. The main ingredient is rice, almost always in combination with other ingredients such as wheat, barley, sweet potato, or tapioca. Soju is clear in color and typically varies in alcohol content from about 40 to about 90 proof (from 20 to 45% alc. by volume, respectively). Its taste is comparable to vodka, though it is often slightly sweeter due to the addition of sugar in the manufacturing process.

The Japanese version of soju is shochu. Soju is sometimes mistakenly referred to as "rice wine," a term normally used for cheongju, the Korean equivalent of sake.

From 1965 until 1991, in order to alleviate rice shortages, the Korean government prohibited the traditional methods of distilling soju from pure grain. Soju was then made primarily through dilution by mixing pure ethanol with water and flavoring. The vast majority of inexpensive soju available today is produced in this manner. Soju produced through dilution from ethanol is known as diluted soju, while soju produced by distillation from grain is known as distilled soju. The Korean government regulates the alcohol content of diluted soju to less than 35%.

Because of its ready availability and its low price relative to other alcoholic beverages, soju has become one of the most popular alcoholic beverages in Korea. More than 3 billion bottles were consumed in South Korea in 2004. 3.05 billion bottles were reported sold in 2004, up from previous years. However, other drinks such as beer, whiskey, and wine have been gaining popularity in recent years.

Along with the mass-produced brands, which are widely available in Korea, there are several regions which are famous for making soju in a more traditional way, with the soju made in Andong being the most famous. Soju is typically consumed in a small shot glasses.

Jinro is the largest manufacturer of soju (70 million cases sold in 2004). The most popular variety of soju is currently Chamisul (literally meaning "real dew"), a triple-filtered soju produced by Jinro, but recently Cheo-um-cheo-reom (literally meaning "like the first time") of Doosan is raising its market share.

Contents

1 History
2 Customs
3 ''Soju'' cocktails
4 Notes
5 See also
6 External links

History

Soju was first distilled around 1300 A.D. during the Mongol occupation of Korea. The Mongols had acquired the technique of distilling arak when they invaded Central Asia/Middle East around 1256 AD, then it was subsequently introduced to Koreans and distilleries were set up around city of Kaesong (around the area of Kaesong, soju is known as arak-ju).

Customs

Koreans usually do not fill their own shot glasses by themselves. Others are expected to fill that glass. (Koreans usually wait for others to fill it.)
If one's glass is going to be filled by a superior, they should hold the glass using two hands.
Unless one's glass is totally empty, it is not supposed to be filled up.
When drinking soju with seniors, you should drink soju by turning your head to your left or right, not in front of the seniors.
If a senior gives an empty soju shotglass (usually his/hers) to you, it means that the person is going to fill the glass and wants you to drink it. You do not have to drink it bottoms up, but at least you have to act like drinking it (sipping is okay). And if you drink "the glass" and make it empty, then turn back the glass to the senior who gave it to you. You are not supposed to turn it back soon but holding it for a long time is considered rude.
Koreans say "one shot" which means "bottoms up."

Soju cocktails

Soju cocktail ("Cocktail soju" among Koreans) is simply soju mixed with Sprite and various kinds of syrup. Soju cocktails are popular among young people (especially women) because they feel that the soju itself is too strong. The most popular soju cocktail is the one tastes like lemonade, which is called "lemon soju" in Korea. The general recipe for lemon soju involves mixing one part soju with two parts Sprites and adding lemonade powder. There are also other variations of soju cocktails, including apple soju, melon soju, yogurt soju, mango soju, and grape soju. Soju cocktails can also be consumed in shot glasses.

A stronger cocktail called poktanju (lit: "bomb drink,") consists of a shot glass of soju dropped into a pint of draft beer (like a boilermaker) and drunk quickly.

Notes

External links