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Traditional sweetener jocheong, shall we try making it at home?

FAM타임스 | FAM타임스 | Published 2019.01.18 15:17|Updated 2026.09.13 06:42 | Comments 0

Traditional Korean sweetener jocheong can be made at home and used in side dishes, sauces, rice cakes, and sweets.

As awareness grows that excessive sugar intake is harmful to the body, sweet foods are being criticized. Let's learn how to enjoy jocheong deliciously.

Jocheong

Jocheong is a sweetener made by simmering malt after it has cooled, resulting in a honey-like consistency. While sugar and corn syrup are easily available these days, if you want to experience its deep and mellow sweetness, try making jocheong at home. First, prepare steamed rice (godubap). Soak glutinous rice or non-glutinous rice thoroughly, then steam it in a steamer. Next, steep the steamed rice with the malt. Prepare malt equal to about one-fourth the amount of rice and water equal to about two to three times the amount of rice. Mix the rice and malt in the water and gently knead the mixture by hand so that it steeps well. Place it in an electric rice cooker on the keep-warm setting for about six hours, until the rice grains float. Afterward, strain out the rice and malt through a cloth, pour the remaining liquid into a pot, and simmer it. Simmer only until a film about 1–2 mm thick forms on the surface of a ladle when the liquid is scooped up.

How to enjoy jocheong deliciously

Jocheong has various uses. Additionally, adding it to various braised side dishes, such as stir-fried anchovies or braised burdock root, enhances the subtle sweetness and makes the side dishes more flavorful. Using jocheong when making kimchi or gochujang also improves the flavor. It can also be added to bulgogi seasoning. If you have leftover nuts or cereal at home, you can mix them with jocheong to make gangjeong or use jocheong to make sweet potato mattang. You can also grill garae-tteok (long rice cakes) and spread jocheong on them, or pair it with various fruit and vegetable dishes.

[Fam Times = Reporter Lee Hyun-ju]

#jocheong #traditional sweetener #homemade #cooking tips #Korean food

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Traditional sweetener jocheong, shall we try making it at home?

Jocheong

How to enjoy jocheong deliciously

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