Soju is the most popular alcohol in Korea, and you will find soju in almost any restaurant you go to in Korea. You may have seen the soju that in green bottles that people toast with in Korean movies and dramas. I’m not going to cover history of Soju, so if you are interested in please read here.
green bottle soju
There are two types of soju ; one is Distilled Soju and other one is Diluted Soju. Distilled one is traditional way to make a soju, every brands that has its own unique flavors, scents, and textures without artificial ingredients. Diluted soju is made of Jujeong with water and artificial(most) flavors. Unlike distilled soju, most diluted soju lacks rich flavors and scents. Jujeong is a high-purity alcohol produced through continuous distillation, aiming to obtain edible alcohol at a low cost. It involves repeatedly distilling fermented liquor using inexpensive crops such as tapioca, sweet potatoes, and potatoes to produce 95% pure alcohol, which is then used as the raw material for the diluted soju we drink.
image wiki
cultural experience
In Korea, soju is more than just a drink; it’s a cultural experience. Commonly consumed with meals, particularly Korean BBQ, it plays an integral role in social gatherings and celebrations. Drinking soju comes with specific etiquette, such as pouring drinks for others, using two hands when receiving a drink from an elder, and turning away when taking a sip in the presence of someone older. You can mix with any other drinks if you don’t like its own flavors. You can apply vodka cocktail recipe, but I strongly recommend mix with something fruit flavors. It goes well with. If you are not in Korea, and sees soju, make sure that is ‘made in Korea’. Often I found many soju brand other countries, they are not made in Korea. I strongly recommend drink only ‘made in Korea’ and especially major brands.
Premium soju
Korea are revitalizing this iconic drink with a blend of modern innovation and deep-rooted tradition. Especially, the younger generation has shown a growing interest in premium soju, which is distilled using high-quality ingredients and natural fermentation processes. It’s price almost 5 times more expensive sometimes 10 times, but by considering its process and all the efforts they are willing to pay and also quest all different flavors and its histories. I will cover about premium soju later soon. Drink responsively!