history of soju and how to make soju

History of Soju

How Soju was spread to korea

 To know the first time soju was spread in korea , we have to cast back to B.C. 3000. The first Soju was made in the Mesopotamia. After about 4000 years, soju had spread out in East-asia when Mongolia conquered an islamic country. But the time when soju was spread in korea was late Goryeo(고려). When Mongolia army be stationed in korea to go on an expedition to japan, Mongolia army spread hard liquor style of soju to Goryeo and build brewery in their post. Because of Andong, Gaesung and Jeju were the cities stationed by Mongolia army, they were famous for traditional soju.

Soju becomes popular

Soju started to become popular under the rule of Japanese imperialism. Japanese imperialism built brewery throughout korea. The first Soju factory in korea was "Joseon Soju" built in 1919.

In 1964, Korea government implement "Grain Management Act“. Because of this, it was hard to make hard liquor style of soju. So Soju company made soju with dilution of spirit. Consumption of this type of Soju had been increasing continuously because it was inexpensive as well as easy to keep it. So this type of soju was positioned as popular alcohol.

The most famous Soju company is Jinro. Jinro was built by 장학엽 in 1924. Since this company took first place in the domestic acohole market, Jinro soju was positioned as a no.1 soju company in Korea.

From 35% to 15.5%

 The first Soju produced by Jinro in 1924 was 증류주 and the alcohol proof was 35%. But in 1965, Soju which is like present type of soju stared to become popular. In 1965, the most common alcohol proof of Soju was 30%. But, Soju's alcohol proof had decreased from 30% to 25 for 25 years and it became general soju well-known for Korean. In 1998, Jinro newly released 23% soju named "참이슬“. Because of this product, many other companies tried to do their best to decrease the alcohol proof of theirs. In 2010, Jinro released soju with 15.5%. However it was blamed because the alcohol proof was too low to be called as Soju. But most women was attracted by the low alcohol Soju.

The way to make soju

There are two methods to make Soju. One way is distillation and another way is dilution.

The first way to make hard liquor is following below.

◎ Mix brewage and water

◎ Apply heat to the water mixed brewage and distil it.

The alcohle proof of soju which is made by this method is about 40~50%. Andong soju and Munbaeju are the most well-known hard liquor in Korea.

 Another method is dilution.

The way to make soju like today is following below.

◎ Boil brewage several times

◎ Get high concentration grain alcohol by boiling brewage

◎ Mix high concentration grain alcohol, water and other additives.

The most popular soju we usually drink is made by this method.