Dugyeonju, a liquor made from azaleas, is a local delicacy that represents the town of Myeoncheon-myeon in Dangjin-gun County, Chungcheongnam-do Province.
In the spring, pink azaleas bloom forth all across the country. Azaleas hold a special place in the heart of the Korean people. Also called the dugyeonhwa flower (두견화, 杜鵑花), azaleas are used to make hwajeon, or flower pancakes, and can even be used to make a delicious alcoholic beverage.
Among liquor devotees, the variety of dugyeonju grown in Myeongcheon in Chungcheongnam-do Province is known for its beautiful fragrance.
To make Myeoncheon Dugyeonju, dried azalea petals are mixed with glutinous rice and malt, all of which is then mixed with water and fermented at a low temperature. Myeoncheon Dugyeonju is traditionally made from azaleas collected from Amisan Mountain and with the clean water of Ansaem, from underneath Amisan Mountain itself. The drink requires more than 100 days to create one batch.
Myeoncheon Dugyeonju embodies a very unique aroma and flavor. It has a deep yellow color and a sweet flavor, making it soft to drink.
Colored a deep yellow, Myeoncheon Dugyeonju is sweet and sticky to the touch. It contains 18 percent alcohol, which is relatively high compared with other traditional liquors, but it’s so soft to drink that it makes people always want another glass. For this reason, liquor lovers say, “Five glasses of Dugyeonju will make anyone walk less than 5 li,” praising its taste.
More information about Myeoncheon Dugyeonju is available at its homepage.
http://www.면천두견주.한국 (Tel: 041-355-5430)
By Yoon Sojung
Korea.net Staff Writer
arete@korea.kr
