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Makgeolli for the bunnies

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Nuruk Comparison

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Currently brewing is a comparison between two brands of nuruk: a "market" nuruk purchased stateside and an artisan nuruk produced in Busan. Initial notes on the nuruk itself: To review, nuruk is the fermentation starter used for makgeolli and other kinds of traditional Korean beverages. It consists of fermented grains or rice and is home to a diverse set of micro-organisms. The "market" nuruk was purchased at H-Mart in the US under the brand Haeoreum. It has a pungent earthy aroma that is somewhat tangy on the nose. I would definitely describe the smell as moldy, but not foul or rank. It does not smell like decomposition. You may even describe the smell as reminiscent of a cellar or attic, but remember: no two smell alike. It definitely has an older scent than the Busan nuruk. The Busan nuruk was acquired from a friend, and I don't think it is available to purchase in the US. The aroma is a combination of earthy and woody, but neutral. There is n...
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Making Makgeolli, the Korean Edition

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Making Makgeolli, the Korean Edition! 한국에서 막걸리 만들자~ I continued my interests in making makgeolli while working here in Korea. I couldn't possibly have a better opportunity to understand the beverage and learn the many variations and nuances on how it is made. Thankfully there have been several books published on the topic of makgeolli home brew. Fortunately, I have a loving fiance who is patient and willing to translate and help me understand the books, which are written in Korean. Maybe when my Korean skill gets better I'll work at an English translation of the book(s). I started by visiting the book store and picking up a book which seemed to have a clear process and interpretation of each recipe. The book classified the different types of makgeolli and discussed their characteristics quite extensively. I will get into an explanation of types later, and for now I will stick to a  basic recipe . The book also listed the most common and most useful  tools  for mak...
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New Hangari

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Great news! I got a new hangari! What's a hangari? (항아리) Hangari is the clay jar traditionally used to ferment all kinds of foods or beverages in Korean cuisine. These are the big brown jugs that house kimchi, rice wine, and medicinal extracts. They come in various shapes and sizes, but they are usually made with clay and have a characteristic brown glaze. They are heavy, cumbersome objects, but they represent a traditional way of brewing makgeolli that I must explore. I used a small hangari several times when brewing makgeolli in Korea. However, I've learned a lot since then and want to continue experimenting brewing using hangari. Hangari may also be called onggi. Below I'll give a quick summary of the pros and cons of using a hangari, as well as a few methods used to prepare hangari for brewing. This content was originally found in Jeontongju that You Can Easily Make at Home  by Lee SeokJun ( 전통주 집에서 쉽게 만들기, 이석준  ). It has been translated from the original text b...
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