Doenjang

''Doenjang''
* (; "thick sauce") or soybean paste is a type of fermented bean paste made entirely of soybean and brine. It is also a byproduct of soup soy sauce production. It is sometimes used as a relish.

History

The earliest soybean fermentations in Korea seem to have begun prior to the era of the Three Kingdoms. The ''Records of the Three Kingdoms'', a Chinese historical text written and published in the third century AD, mentions that "Goguryeo people are good at brewing fermented soybeans" in the section named ''Dongyi'' (Eastern foreigners), in the ''Book of Wei''. Jangdoks used for doenjang production are found in the mural paintings of Anak Tomb No.3 from the 4th century Goguryeo.

In ''Samguk Sagi'', a historical record of the Three Kingdoms era, it is written that ''doenjang'' and ''ganjang'' along with ''meju'' and ''jeotgal'' were prepared for the wedding ceremony of the King Sinmun in February 683. ''Sikhwaji'', a section from ''Goryeosa'' (History of Goryeo), recorded that ''doenjang'' and ''ganjang'' were included in the relief supplies in 1018, after a Khitan invasion, and in 1052, when a famine occurred. Joseon texts such as '' Guhwangchwaryo'' and '' Jeungbo sallim gyeongje'' contain detailed procedures on how to brew good-quality ''doenjang'' and ''ganjang''. ''Gyuhap chongseo'' explains how to pick a date for brewing, what to forbear, and how to keep and preserve ''doenjang'' and ''ganjang''.

Production

''Doenjang'' is made entirely of fermented soybean and brine. Soup soy sauce is also made during the ''doenjang'' production.

''Meju'', Korean soybean brick, is made around ''ipdong'' in early November. Soybeans are soaked overnight, boiled in salt water, and then pounded in a mortar (''jeolgu'') or coarsely ground in a millstone. About a ''doe'' (≈1.8 litres) or two ''doe''s of pounded soybean is chunked, compressed, and shaped into a cube or a sphere called ''meju''. The ''meju'' bricks are then dried in a cool, shaded area for a week to several weeks until firm. When the bricks harden, they are tied with rice straws to the eaves of the house, or put in the warm ondol room with rice straws, for fermentation. In Jeongwol, the first month of the lunar year, well-fermented ''meju'' bricks are washed and sun-dried.

After drying, the ''meju'' bricks are aged in onggi crocks (jangdok) with brine. Charcoal and chillies are added for their absorbent and antibacterial properties, as well as folk-religious beliefs that they drive evil spirits away. When fermented well, the aged ''meju'' chunks are mashed to become ''doenjang'', and the filtrate is boiled to become ''ganjang''.

Types

Though ''doenjang'' and ''ganjang'' are usually made together, ''doenjang'' can also be made without producing any filtrate.

* ''Tojang'' ( ko, 토장) – When the aged brine is boiled to become ''ganjang'', the rest (aged ''meju'' chunks) are mashed to become ''tojang''.
* ''Jangjae'' ( ko, 장재) – Smaller amount of brine is used from the beginning. No soy sauce is produced in the process, and the ''meju'' aged with the smaller amount of brine becomes ''jangjae'', another type of ''doenjang''.

While traditional ''doenjang'' is made with soybeans and brine only, many factory-made variants of ''doenjang'' contain a fair amount of wheat flour just like most factory-made soy sauce does. Some current makers also add fermented, dried, and ground anchovies to accentuate ''doenjangs savory flavor. Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety's ''Food Code'' classifies ''doenjang'' into three categories by their ingredients.

* ''Hansik-doenjang'' ( ko, 한식된장, "Korean-style fermented soybean paste") – ''doenjang'' made with traditional style ''meju'' and brine.
* ''Doenjang'' ( ko, 된장, "fermented soybean paste") – ''doenjang'' made with non-traditional ''meju'' (which can be made of soybean, rice, barley, wheat or degreased soybean, and ripened using traditional method or ''Aspergillus'') and saline solution.
* ''Seasoned doenjang'' ( ko, 조미된장) – product that contains more than 90% of ''doenjang'' or ''hansik-doenjang''.

Use

''Doenjang'' can be eaten as a condiment in raw-paste form with vegetables, as flavored seasoning or even as a dipping condiment. However, it is more commonly mixed with garlic, sesame oil, and sometimes ''gochujang'' to produce ''ssamjang'', which is then traditionally eaten with or without rice wrapped in leaf vegetables such as red leaf lettuce. This dish is called ''ssambap''. This combination of leaf vegetable and ''doenjang'' (or ''ssamjang'') often complements popular Korean meat dishes such as ''samgyeopsal'', ''bulgogi'', ''bibimbap'' and ''bossam''.

It can also be used as a component of soup broth, as in the popular stew '' doenjang jjigae'', which usually includes tofu, various vegetables such as chile peppers, zucchini, and scallion, and (optionally) mushrooms, red meat, or scallops.

Nutrition and health

''Doenjang'' is rich in flavonoids and beneficial vitamins, minerals, and plant hormones (phytoestrogens) which are sometimes claimed to possess anticarcinogenic properties. In Korean traditional meals, the menu has concentrated on vegetables and rice, but ''doenjang'', which is made of soybeans, has a great deal of lysine, an essential amino acid that rice lacks. Linoleic acid (53% of the fatty acids) and linolenic acid (8% of the fatty acids) have an important role in normal growth of blood vessels and prevention of blood vessel-related illness. ''Doenjangs efficacy still exists after boiling, in dishes such as ''doenjang jjigae''.

Claims are being explored about the role of ''doenjang'' in reducing visceral fat, though most studies have only been done on rodents. However, one study on humans does exist, which suggests that its visceral fat reduction properties are also present in humans.

Outside Korea

''Doenjang'' is considered one of the essential sauces of authentic Korean cuisine. However, the condiment has historically been unknown outside of Korea, although recent international articles have resulted in an increase in its popularity. A 2007 Chinese article on the "Sauces of Korea" listed ''doenjang'' and ''gochujang'' as essential flavorings, and explored the origins of the condiments, particularly focusing on Sunchang County, where most Korean soy sauce is produced. The article pointed out that ''doenjang'' does not contain any artificial additives and in fact has healthy amounts of essential vitamins, such as vitamin C and vitamin B₁₂. The health benefits of ''doenjang'' are rumored to extend longevity, and this is illustrated by the fact that out of the 32,000 people in Sunchang County, eight are over 100 years old, and many are over 90. The article was influential throughout China, resulting in many Chinese restaurants adding ''doenjang jjigae'' to their menus shortly after publication. South Korea's ''JoongAng Ilbo'' covered this story in China on December 13, 2007.

Similar food

A very similar fermented soybean paste in northeast China is known as ''dajiang'' (大醬). The tradition of eating ''dajiang'' is said to have been started by the Manchu people, who originally occupied China's northeastern provinces. Northeastern Chinese people enjoy eating raw vegetables in the summer, and ''dajiang'' is used like a salad dressing to add flavor. Northern Chinese yellow soybean paste also bears a great similarity in texture and taste to Korean ''doenjang''.

Doenjang also bears similarities to Japanese ''miso''. However, miso is inoculated with a fungus (''Aspergillus oryzae'') via controlled fermentation, whereas ''doenjang'' is fermented spontaneously with a mix of fungal and bacterial cultures (''Aspergillus oryzae'' and ''Bacillus subtilis'').

In culture

" ''Doenjang'' girl" is a slang term for women who indulge in luxurious products to show off despite not being able to afford them, and eat low-priced basic food at home.실사로 보는… '이것이 된장녀의 하루!'
The Hanguk 2007/02/13

See also

*Cheonggukjang
*Doujiang, fresh soy milk in Chinese cuisine
*Fermented bean paste
*Korean cuisine
*List of condiments
* List of fermented foods
*List of fermented soy products
*Nattō
* Tương
*Yellow soybean paste

References

External links

Different ways of consuming Doenjang (video)Photo of South Korea-produced ''doenjang''
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{{Soy

Korean words and phrases
Fermented soy-based foods
Food paste
Korean condiments
Korean inventions
Umami enhancers