Chadoldoenjangjjigae is a Korean dish made withdoenjang (soybean paste) and tenderly cooked brisket.This dish is known for its rich flavors, combiningthe chewy texture of the brisket with the deep flavorof the doenjang. As you savor a warm spoonful ofChadoldoenjangjjigae, its unique flavor and aromaoffer a delightful immersion into the flavors andculture of Korea.

As interest in South Korea's food culture continues togrow across various content platforms, consumptionof processed rice products such as tteok (rice cakes),frozen kimbap and instant rice is on the rise. Theseprocessed rice products have emerged as newmajor export items contributing to the growth ofthe Korean food (K-food)export industry, followingthe success of ramen, with an impressive growthrate of 10.1%, the highestexport revenue for threeconsecutive years. Instant rice has gained popularitydue to the increasingdemand for Home MealReplacement (HMR) options and growing interestin K-food. People enjoyinstant rice as a convenientaccompaniment to traditional Korean dishes suchas kimchi andbulgogi.Several brands, includingOttogi, Chung Jung One, CJ CheilJedang and E-MartNo Brand, are competing to sell Korean instantrice on Amazon for the North American market.CJ CheilJedang's Hetbahn isthe most popularKorean product in the instant rice category. Notablereviews from consumers who have purchased theproducts on Amazon includecomments such as:"It's convenient for making sushi or kimbap quicklyand easily." "It's easy to prepare a delicious mealin just a few minutes, with praise for the authentictexture and taste of the rice." "The affordability andappropriately portioned packaging for each mealmake it a standout choice." In addition to plain rice, there are several otherinstant rice options available on Amazon. CJ Food's"Bibigo Multi-Grain" offers a blend of two grainsseasoned with salt, oil, and flavors tailored to localtastes. This product comes in four varieties: brownrice/jasmine rice, brown rice/quinoa, brown rice/wildrice, and more. "BibigoMulti-Grain" has receivedhigh scores in blind taste tests, averaging 4.2 outof 5 for texture, taste and purchase intent amongAmerican consumers. These scores are highly competitive,even when compared to "SEED of CHANGE,"a leading brand in the premium instant rice marketin the United States. Chong Kun DangHealth haslaunched "Tastyn," a brand offering protein konjacrice with tofu, brown rice and barley, making it ahealthy instant rice option. In addition, CJ CheilJedang'sHetbahn brand includes various ready-to-eatcup rice products such as curry rice, stir-fried kimchirice, black bean sauce bibimbap, soybean pastebibimbap, and more, providing consumers with convenientand diverse choices.

The COVID-19 pandemic and restrictionson the food servi ce industry andconsumer gatherings have reshapedSouth Korea's drinking culture. The riseof the "Honsul" (drinking alone) and "Homesul"(drinking athome)trends has created a diversealcohol culture. Wi th a newfound positiveperception of Homesul across allage groups, thereis a growing demand for light and easy-to-enjoyalcoholic beverages. In the fourth quarterof 2020,sales of small (330 ml) beer at CU conveniencestores increased by 60.9%, outpacing the overallbeer sales growth rate(18.9%) in the same period.Homesul culture has led to a shift in the perceptionof alcohol, emphasizing theenjoyment offlavors rather than simply drinking to get drunk. Asa result, Millennials and Gen-Z, known fortheir curiosityand penchant for exploring drinking experiences,increasingly prefer higher-priced alcoholicbeverages such as whiskey and wine. These consumersactively seek out and purchase drinks thatmatch their preferences, including famous whiskeybrands, often going to great lengths such as "openrunning" (lining upbefore the store opens to securein-demand products). Traditional Korean liquors have become a newtrend with a younger consumer base, especiallygaining tractionamong Millennials and Gen-Z.In 2021, the traditional liquor market increasedby 49% year-on-year,more than doubling since2016. Korea's liquor laws allow for online sales oftraditional liquors approved bythe Minister ofAgriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, leading to theexpansion of same-day delivery andsubscriptionservices. South Korea's evolving drinking culture, whichfocuses on enjoying the taste of alcoholic beverages,has fueled agrowing demand for drinks tailoredto individual preferences. This has given rise to the"mixology" trend, withvarious products combiningdifferent types of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages,such as mixingsparkling water with alcoholor infusing tea with alcohol. Lotte Chilsung Beverageintroduced fruit- lavored sparkling waters suchas Sunhari Lemon Gin and Cloud Hard Seltzer. Atthe same time, BGF Retail (CU)launched RTD Highballswith Scotch whisky and lemon or black tea.The whiskey-basedRTDHighballproducts availablein CU convenience stores recorded a remarkablegrowth rate of 159.9%,gaining popularity amongdiverse consumers. In addition to these products,there is a growing demandfor low-alcohol options,healthy alcoholic beverages, zero alcohol andnon-alcoholic products. Hite Jinro Beverage introduced"Hite Zero 0.00," OB Beer launched "Cass 0.0"non-alcoholic beer in2020,offeringconsumers anon-alcoholic beer option while maintaining theoriginal taste of beer.

In response to consumers' growing interest in desserts, health foods, and convenienceproducts, Aejuwon ventured into the Hongshi (sweet persimmon) smoothie business.Hongshi Smoothie is a delicious and nutritious dessert that meets consumer preferences.It's a natural food product made from sweet persimmon that preserves the authentic taste of the original ingredient without any added sugar or preservatives. Hongshi Smoothie is a wellnessoriented product, ideal for children's growth nutrition and to alleviate the effects of hangovers, with a vitamin C content ten times that of apples. Inaddition, it comes at an affordable price, ensuring accessibility for all, and its frozen format simplifies storage and consumption. Sangju, located in North Gyeongsang Province,is known as South Korea's premier persimmonproducer. For centuries, native persimmon treeshave been cultivated in this area, producing persimmonsand dried persimmons since well beforethe 15th century. Dried persimmons from Sangjuhave graced the tables of the royal court sincethe Joseon Dynasty. Every household in Sangjugrows persimmon trees, and Aejuwon specializesin dried persimmons and Hongshi Smoothie. InAugust 2010, they established a dried persimmon factory, and in February 2016, they completed theconstruction of their Hongshi Smoothie factory. This factory, which covers an area of 200 squaremeters, can produce up to 700,000 units. The HACCP-certified Hongshi Smoothie factory has twofreezing rooms with a total area of approximately120 square meters, firmly establishing Aejuwon asa reliable producer in the heart of Sangju, the toppersimmon producing region. Aejuwon's Hongshi Smoothie is an ideal choicebecause it is deliciously sweet, nutritious, and lowin calories. With no added sugar or preservatives,it can be enjoyed as a smoothie when thawed oras ice cream when frozen. For a twist, it can be enjoyedas a Hongshi Latte by simply adding milk. Itis also a versatile ingredient, making it an excellentjam substitute in various dishes, or even an ingredientin red pepper paste, using Hongshi insteadof artificial sugar. Made entirely from domesticallygrown sweet persimmons, it contains 100kcal per 150ml, has no preservatives and must be stored ator below -18°C. It is safe to consume for up to 24months from the date of manufacture. It contains7% carbohydrates, 20% sugar and 1% protein, withzero fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol and sodium.Aejuwon's unique patented process ensuresconvenient packaging in apouch containing puresweet persimmon. Packaging options include 20,30, 50 and 60 units. The production process of Hongshi Smoothieinvolves thawing washed and peeled frozen sweetpersimmons, a meticulous process that takes about2-3 days. The sweet persimmon harvest seasontypically falls between late October and early Novemberand lasts about 20 days each year. Actualproduction begins in early November with a dailycapacity of 6,000 units. Operating for 20 days permonth, Aejuwon can produce 12,000 units permonth, or 144,000 units per year. The raw sweetpersimmons and the finished smoothies are carefullystored at or below -20°C to maintain theirquality. As Hongshi Smoothie is a product madeentirely from persimmons, its production cost fluctuatesbased on the yield of persimmons. In June2020, AejuwonreceivedHACCPcertification for itspersimmon washing and metal detection processes,underscoring its commitment to food safety. Inaddition, in April of the same year, they secured apatent for the "manufacturing method of frozenHongshi smoothie." Notably, they also export theirproducts to the Netherlands via Sangju City.

"One Bottle For Better Sleep," "Sleep Drink, SleepNatural," and "Good night, Sleep tight" are the catchyslogans for the Sleeping Bottle, a product designedto help you sleep better when you're having troublefalling asleep and to regulate your sleep patterns. Thisbeverage has become popular as South Korea's firstsleep aid drink. Since its launch in July 2021, it has sold600,000 bottles, with 100,000 bottles exported tothe United States in October 2022. In May this year, itdebuted on the world's largest e-commerce platform,Amazon, enabling shipments to Saudi Arabia, AbuDhabi (UAE), Canada and other countries through Amazon.This milestone is a critical step for the emergingSouth Korean sleep specialist to enter the global market.In October this month, a distribution agreement was signed in Australia and exports have already begun,with further expansion expected next year. Sinceits initial launch in August last year, it is available in 250locations across South Korea through the country'slargest pharmacy chain, 'Onnuri Pharmacy.' In addition,a U.S. subsidiary was established in November of thesame year. The Sleeping Bottle is designed to induce sleep andimprove sleep quality. It is made with jujube, schisandra,red ginseng, ecklonia extract and tart cherry juice.The inclusion of tart cherry juice successfully addressesthe taste issue of the herbal extract 'SB Concentrate.'Ecklonia is known for its ability to improve sleep qualitydue to its polyphenolic components, including flavonoidsand deoxycholic acid. Siberian ginseng is knownto reduce stress by suppressing the stress hormonecortisol. The combination of these ingredients formsthe core of the Sleeping Bottle product. As a result, they were granted a Korean patent for "Natural MaterialSleep Induction and Sleep Quality Improvement" onJuly 5 this year. Because it uses components derivedfrom natural materials as active ingredients, it doesn'thave the side effects associated with synthetic drugs.They have also filed a PCTapplication in the UnitedStates, Europe, Southeast Asia and other regions. A one-month study of 20 men and women withsleep disorders was conducted at a researchinstituteinNovember 2021. The goal of the study was to evaluatethe actual effectiveness of the product using the PittsburghSleep Quality Index, a globally recognized sleepassessment scale. Over the course of three weeks, thestudy examined various aspects including reducedsleep latency, increased sleep duration, daytime functionalimpairment, and sleep disturbance on sevenscales. The results showed a remarkable improvement,with the index dropping from 12.29 before consumptionto 6.25 after consumption, an improvement ofnearly 197%. A lower index score indicates better sleepquality, with "zero (0)" being the ideal score. Carefulattention was paid to the design of the product, resultingin a compact 100ml size suitable for in-flightconsumption. This design was tailoredfor consumers who struggle to adjustto time differences during flights,or who have difficulty sleeping on board. InJune2022,theyachievedglobalcertificationregistrationfromtheKoreanVeganCertificationInstitute, inline with the growingdemand fromvegan consumers. In August 2022, the company established a subsidiaryin Los Angeles, California, and successfully acquiredwarehouses and distribution networks, followingits debut at the ASD Market Week trade show in theUnited States. The U.S. trademark registration process,which began with the 2021 product launch, wascompletedin October 2022. Official sales in the U.S. marketbegan on March 31 of this year. Recently,the companyparticipated in the World Korean Business Expo heldin Orange County, California from October 11-14. Theyalso participated in the "2023 SleepTech" event heldat COEX from July 7-9 and have completed their entry into the top three major online duty-free shops inSouth Korea. The product is readily available throughvarious online and offline retail channels, includingGS Shop, Coupang, Shinsegae Mall, Kakao Talk Store,Hyundai Department Store and Lotte DepartmentStore. The company is also actively engaged in the developmentof related products. The future of MUSKA,a venture company that was registered as a sleep-focusedcompany in May 2019, is promising.

Beta-glucan is a common nutrient found in avariety of grains, such as oats, barley, wheat,and rice, as well as in most types of mushrooms.Certain mushrooms, including Cauliflower, Meshima,Chaga, and Reishi, containexceptionally high levelsof beta-glucan. With the increased awareness of theimportance of immune health following the COVID-19pandemic, there has been a growing interest in betaglucan.Beta-glucan is a type of dietary fiber foundabundantly in the cell walls of yeast and fungi. It's acomplex carbohydrate formed by the linkage of sugarmolecules. Beta-glucan aids in the activation andproliferation of immune cells. It is also beneficial forreducing cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-densitylipoprotein (LDL) levels. In addition, beta-glucaninhibits fat absorption in theintestine and helps regulate blood lipid levels, making it beneficial for weight management. Its long-term effect inreducing the risk of atherosclerosis, stroke and fatty liveris attributed to its cholesterol-lowering properties. Betaglucanalso promotes active intestinal peristalsis, ensuringsmooth bowel movements. Due to its potent antioxidantproperties, it is effective in preventing the onset of diseasessuch as cancer, hypertension, and diabetes. Now, let's explore how we can incorporate thishealth-promoting beta-glucan into our daily lives.First, let's identify foods that are naturally rich in betaglucan.These foods include oats, barley, rice, wheat,legumes, mushrooms, mung beans, and various fruitsand vegetables. Oats are readily available and canbe consumed by chewing or prepared as oatmealin broth or milk. In Korea, barley was traditionallyeaten as porridge or bread. While barley rice wasonce commonly eaten, it is now less common. Brownrice, rich in beta-glucan, is consumed in modernhouseholds as part of a health-conscious diet. Wheat,which is rich in beta-glucan, can be found in a varietyof foods, including pasta. Legume dishes often includebean flour in several recipes. Mung beans make foodssuch as mung bean rice cakes or fermented mungbean paste. Beta-glucan is also found in small amountsin fruits and vegetables. Known for their high beta-glucan content, mushroomscan be enjoyed in a variety of dishes or as astand-alone ingredient. To make a chilled enoki mushroomsalad, you'll need 150g of mushrooms, half a cucumber, 5cm of green onion and dressing. For enokimushroom soup, use chili peppers, green onions, andcarrots. For each 150 grams of enoki mushrooms, addone chili pepper, 5 centimeters of green onion, and1/5 of a carrot. For Matsutake mushroom rolls, use15 chives and a quarter of a carrot for two Matsutakemushrooms. Pumpkin leaf soup calls for 60 grams ofpumpkin leaves and 50 grams of shiitake mushrooms. Mushrooms can also be combined with other vegetablesto create new dishes. For a chilled eggplant salad,use one eggplant, 1/2 each green and red pepper, twoshiitake mushrooms, and 20 grams of carrots. For stir-fried bok choy mushrooms, use 100 grams ofbok choy and three shiitake mushrooms. For stir-fried shiitake asparagus, use 5-6 shiitake mushrooms, fiveasparagus stems, and 1/4 green, red, and yellow bell peppers. For the Eggplant Mushroom Miso Rice Bowl, add one eggplant and two medium mushrooms. For the Grilled Tofu Mushroom Rice Bowl, add 1/2 headof tofu and 80 grams of maitake mushrooms. For the Vegetable Seasoned Tofu Pockets Rice Bowl, add 1/3 carrot, eight garlic cloves, 60 grams lotus root and two stalks of green onion. One of the leading agricultural companies in Korea,Byeonsan Mushroom Farm, has been cultivatingMeshima mushrooms, Ganoderma ludicum, shiitakemushrooms, and other functional mushrooms since2019. They grow high-quality Meshima mushrooms through consistent cultivation, including inoculation,sterilization, and cultivation. With mushroom substrateproduction facilities, including mixing equipment,inoculation rooms, and sterilization rooms, allprocesses from substrate production to inoculationare carried out on the farm. Initially focused on thesale of raw mushrooms, the company expanded tomeet customer demand for various products such asmushroom tea bags and Meshima mushroom juice.

The "six major fruits of South Korea" are apples,tangerines, peaches, grapes, pears, and persimmons.In terms of fruit production by item in 2021, thesesix major fruits accounted for 89.6% of the totalproduction. Apples took the top spot at 24.8%,followed by tangerines at 19.2%, grapes at 15.5%,peaches at 13.5%, pears at 11.3%, and persimmonsat 5.3%. Other fruits account for 10.4% of the total.The total fruit production value in 2021 was KRW5,553 billion, with the six major fruits contributingKRW 4,976.6 billion. The production value of these six major fruits was KRW 1,377.7 billion in 2021, while itwas KRW 2,410 billion in 2000. Apple production grew from KRW 497.7 billion in2000 to KRW 820 billion in 2010, KRW 1,448 billion in2015, KRW 1,100 billion in 2020, and KRW 1,377.7 billionin 2021. Apples have held the top position since2015. In contrast, the production value of tangerinesincreased from KRW 634 billion in 2000 to KRW 931billion in 2010, KRW 637 billion in 2015, KRW 900billion in 2020, and KRW 1,650 billion in 2021. Thearea under applecultivation increased from 29,000hectares in 2000 to 31,000 hectares in 2010, 31,600hectares in 2020, and 34,000 hectares in 2022. Onthe other hand, tangerine farms decreased from26,868 hectares in 2000 to 21,100 hectares in 2010,21,100 hectares in 2020, and 22,100 hectares in 2022.Peaches also experienced an increase in productionvalue. In 2000, its production value was KRW 185billion, which increased to KRW 200 billion in 2005,KRW 410 billion in 2010, KRW 456 billion in 2015,KRW 610 billion in 2020, and KRW 752 billion in 2021. The total area planted with the six major fruitsdecreased rapidly by about 66% between 2015 and2019. This decrease was due to the fact that the areaplanted with other fruits increased by an average of2% per year after 2010 and accounted for 34% of thetotal area in 2019. In the medium to long term, thefruit area is expected to decrease by an average of7% per year, reaching about 96,000 hectares in 2030.In terms of fruit exports, apples were exported 1,536tons in 2021 and 2,542 tons in 2022, while grapeswere exported 2,108 tons in 2020 and 2,315 tons in2021, and persimmons were exported 5,609 tonsin 2020, 2,098 tons in 2021, and 4,259 tons in 2022.Pears were exported in quantities of 23,566 tons in2020, 21,841 tons in 2021, and 26,274 tons in 2022. Export destinations include the United States, China,Canada, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, HongKong, Singapore, and Russia. In 2023, production of the six major fruits shows adeclining trend, except for tangerines which showa modest increase of 0.5%. Apples decreased by23.2%, pears by 19.7%, grapes by 1.7%, and persimmonsby 13.5%. In 2022, apples were produced on34,603 hectares, yielding approximately 556,000tons. In 2023, it is estimated that apples will be producedon 33,911 hectares, yielding about 434,900tons. Pears are expected to be grown on about 9,607hectares this year, producing about 202,000 tons.This is a slight decrease from the previous year whenthey were grown on 9,680 hectares and produced251,100 tons. For tangerines, the area planted in 2022 covered14,405 hectares and produced 429,000 tons. Thisyear, however, the area is estimated to be about14,199 hectares, yielding about 431,200 tons. In2022, 196,000 tons of grapes were produced from14,655 hectares. In 2023, it is expected to produce192,700 tons from 14,722 hectares. Persimmonsproduced 115,600 tons in 2022 from an area of 9,477hectares. This year, they are expected to produceabout 99,900 tons from 9,207 hectares.

In the 2022 South Korea Representative Fruit SelectionContest, Eden Farming's Golden Apples won theprestigious title for the first time. These Golden Apples,a Fuji variety known as "Sinano Gold," are celebratedfor their abundant juiciness and exquisite balance ofsweetness and tartness, with a sugar content of 14-15Brix. These apples are yellow on the outside and thesame color as regular apples on the inside. They aretypically harvested from early October to around the25th. As they age, the acidity decreases while the sugarcontent increases, enhancing the delightfully sweetand tangy flavor. The annual yield of Golden Applesvaries from 20,800 to 1,000 boxes, with prices rangingfrom KRW 35,000 to KRW 85,000 per 3.4 kg, and thequantity per box can range from 7 to 17 pieces. In 2019,a related apple variety, Hooberks, took the top spotamong nationallycertifiedenvironmentally friendlyproducts. Apple flavor is significantly influenced by plant originand environmental conditions, with the highest quality apples typically coming from young plants. Primaryharvesting begins in the second year. The farm recently planted 200 Embu apple trees and has successfullyharvested 20 containers, each equivalent to a 20kg box, this year. All of Eden Farming's apple trees arebetween 2 and 4 years old and yield approximately 15 apples for 2 year old trees, 30 for 3 year old treesand approximately 50 for 4 year old trees. Adequate sunlight, a wide range of temperatures, and goodair circulation and ventilation are essential for the production of delicious apples. A good apple mustfirst be firm and have a good sugar content. While most apples typically have a sugar content of 12-13Brix, Eden Farming's apples typically measure 14-15 Brix. From next year, a new apple variety, Gamhong, isexpected to reach 16-17 Brix, while Embu apples are already measuring 18-19 Brix. Embu apples are peachred inside and out. It has a blackish-red color and a nice taste. Since 2009, the second CEO, Oh Seong-seob,has been in charge of the farm, replacing it with a new variety every four years. Eden Farming's apple orchard consists ofapproximately 8,000 trees, including 3,000 SinanoGold apples, 1,000 Fuji apples, 1,000 Starkrimsonapples, 1,400 Embu apples, 700 Arisoo apples, 500Gamhong apples, 200 Chohong apples, 100 Peachyapples, and more. Arisoo, Dahong, Chohong andGamhong apples are local varieties. They also planto plant 300 Peachy apple trees next year. EdenFarming's annual harvest is about 40 tons, with acultivation area of 3.3 hectares. Although the harvesthas dropped to 20 tons due to the transition to newvarieties, it is expected to recover to 40 tons soon andexceed this level from 2025. Remarkably, their incomehas increased despite halving production whilefocusing on growing the finest apples. On January1, 2010, eleven members formed Eden Farmingand established the Eden Farming AssociationCorporation under the leadership of CEO Oh Ki-joo.Under his leadership, his wife, Kim Weul-soon, servedas CEO, and since 2017, their daughter-in-law, YoonSun-ok, has been in charge.

In Korea, apples, pears, and persimmons are themost iconic fruits of the country. These fruitshave significant cultural significance, are centralto various traditional rituals and ceremoniesobserved throughout the year, and are deeplyrooted in the Korean cultural fabric. In addition, peaches,grapes, and tangerines are commonly eaten as dessertsand snacks in Korea. These six fruits are Korea's six majorfruits. It's a common practice for people to buy thesefruits in large quantities on a weekly basis and enjoy themas snacks throughout the week. In the past, obtainingand transporting fresh fruit in bulk was a challenge.Today, the convenience of texting, calling, or orderingonline has made it easier than ever to purchase fresh fruitanytime, anywhere. Sweetness and texture are priorities when it comesto fruit. Excessive rain or extreme heat can result inoversized or burst fruit due to excessive moisture. Awarm climate with significant temperature fluctuationsand a relatively high orchard elevation is essentialto produce the finest fruit. Products such asGolden Apple Eden Farming in Hamyang, Pear FarmingCooperative in Jinju, and Shaiwang AgriculturalCooperative Corporation in Sangju are known fortheir superior quality. These farms share an altitudeof about 5 meters, which ensures excellent wind circulationand remarkable temperature fluctuations.As for the fruit, the younger the tree, the better thetaste. Some farmers are willing to sacrifice yield toensure the highest quality fruit, opting to replace alltheir apple trees every four years. As for the apple crop, Fuji is expected to remainstable. However, Hongro, Sugaaru, Yangkwang andFuji apples are expected to decrease by 4-6%. Gamhongapples are estimated to increase by 7% overlast year, and the famous golden apples, known as SinanoGold, are expected to increase by a remarkable23%. For pears, Singo and Wonhwang are expectedto grow by 3% and 2% respectively, while Shinwha,Hwasan and Golden pear varieties are forecast togrow by 1-6%. Tangerines are projected to increaseby 6%, and Cheonhyehyang and Redhyang are expectedto increase by 3% and 2%, respectively. Forpeaches, Yumogye is expected to decline by 1% andCheondogyehae is expected to increase by 2%, mainlydue to new varieties such as Sinbi andYerodream.Grapes including Campbell Early, Kyohong and MBAare expected to decline by 2-9%. However, Delawaregrapes are expected to increase by 3%, and ShineMuscat, Rubyroman, Hongjoo Seedless, and other tablegrape varieties are projected to increase by 11%.For persimmon, Woonmi and Olnuri are projected to increase by 11%, while the main variety Buyu isprojected to decrease by 4%, and Charang and EarlySeochon are projected to decrease by 1% and 8%,respectively. Taechu is expected to increase by 5%. Korean fruit consumers have slightly different preferencesdepending on the type of fruit. For apples,they prefer medium-sized apples weighing 150-250gwith a rich red color and a balance of sweetness andtartness. For pears, they choose medium-sized pearsweighing 550-700g with an intense sweetness andabundant juice. For peaches, they prefer the 300gsize with a sweet and juicy texture. Consumers prefergrapes with high sugar content, thin skin and tinyseeds. Tangerines are preferred to have a harmoniousblend of sweetness and acidity and should generallyhave a deep color along with thin skins. For persimmons,medium-sized fruit weighing 250-280g with afirm, crunchy texture are highly prized. For pears inparticular, they prefer larger and well-shaped fruitsfor traditional rituals. For eating, however, they preferthe crisp texture and juiciness of the flesh, with theunique aroma of pears being especially appreciated.

Saesongisanjeok is a traditional Korean dish that showcases the delicious and meaty texture of king oyster mushrooms. It is a type of skewered dish which ingredients such as vegetables, mushrooms, and sometimes meat are marinated, threaded onto skewers, and then grilled or pan-fried to perfection. King oyster mushrooms, known for their robust, umami flavor, are often the star of this dish, making it a favorite not only among mushroom lovers but also those exploring Korean cuisine.