Confucius Family Liquor Jayak, a 39-degree Baijiu that cuts through the greasiness of oily Chinese cuisine

We examine the characteristics and origins of 'Confucius Family Liquor' and 'Jayak,' which are known as cost-effective Baijiu that are good to enjoy with Chinese cuisine. According to a video from the YouTube channel 'Introduction to Alcoholic Beverages - Interesting Stories Behind Drinks' (released on September 5, 2026), Confucius Family Liquor is a brand based in Qufu, Shandong Province, China, which is the hometown of Confucius, and it is characterized by adopting lower alcohol content and sophisticated designs to target the younger generation.

The History of the Confucius Family and the Birth of Confucius Family Liquor

The name Confucius Family Liquor carries the meaning of the liquor of the Confucius family. Qufu, the hometown of Confucius, is a place where the descendants of Confucius have lived for generations and performed ancestral rites. The video mentions records stating that while Confucius liked alcohol, he drank only enough not to lose his composure, and he did not eat food bought at markets due to hygiene issues, explaining that the Confucius family made and used alcohol at home for generations. It is said that alcohol has been made in the Qufu region since the Zhou dynasty, and records show that the Confucius family operated a brewery from the time Emperor Zhenzong of the Northern Song dynasty permitted a 45th-generation descendant of Confucius to make alcohol for ancestral rites in 1080.

However, the current brand-form of Confucius Family Liquor differs from the long-standing brewing traditions of the family. While the brewing history of the Confucius family is old, the current brand, Confucius Family Liquor, was established when Qufu Distillery was founded in 1958 to integrate local breweries, and was formalized in 1985 as a Nongxiang-type Baijiu. The video also covers tragic family anecdotes, such as the history of the last representative of the Confucius family, Kung Te-cheng, moving to Taiwan and the tragedy of Confucius's tomb being excavated by Red Guards during the Cultural Revolution. In particular, conflicting records were presented regarding an anecdote from the 1990s where Confucius Family Liquor was gifted to Kung Te-cheng in Taiwan, with him saying, "Our family does not have such liquor," versus records stating he was instead delighted, leaving questions about the truth.

The Smooth Taste of Baijiu Enjoyed at 39 Degrees

The 'Jayak' introduced in the video was first launched in 2019, and interestingly, it is characterized by having targeted the Korean market in its early stages of release. The color of the bottle also adopted colors such as Bianchi to consider the tastes of the younger generation. Unlike existing Baijiu, which mainly maintain a high alcohol content of over 50 degrees, Jayak has a low alcohol content of 39 degrees. This is a result of being designed so that the younger generation can enjoy it without burden.

During the tasting process, the participant mentioned that Jayak is made by blending base spirits aged for 3 to 5 years. It was emphasized that the strong fruit aroma (such as pineapple scent) typically felt in general Nongxiang-type Baijiu is not excessive, and because the alcohol content is low, the swallow is smooth. In particular, evaluations followed that an alcohol content of less than 40 degrees reduces the characteristic hot sensation of Baijiu, making it easy to drink. The video also mentioned that the design of Jayak gives off a unique atmosphere reminiscent of a talisman or a Jiangshi.

Harmony with Oily Chinese Cuisine and Purchase Information

Nongxiang-type Baijiu, such as Confucius Family Liquor and Jayak, has the characteristic of pairing well with oily side dishes. In the video, they tasted it along with fried foods or Chinese stir-fried dishes that use a lot of oil, explaining that the Baijiu plays the role of washing away the greasiness of the food. In particular, it was mentioned that the harmony between the fruit aroma in the sauce and the food is good.

Price ranges and purchase convenience can also be checked. Confucius Family Liquor is in the mid-to-late 10,000 won range, and Jayak is in the mid-to-late 30,000 won range. Confucius Family Liquor can be obtained relatively easily at general supermarkets, and Jayak can be purchased at TRADERS or supermarkets. There was a case where a product named 'Confucius Family Liquor' was once imported and sold in Korea, but import was prohibited due to litigation issues regarding the name, but the products introduced in the current video are being distributed through different channels.