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Written by KNTO
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Friday, 05 May 2006 |
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Korean Kimchi - One of World's Five Healthiest Foods
Kimchi,
the staple Korean food, was named as one of the world's five healthiest
foods by Health Magazine in the United States recently.
Along with Spanish olive oil, Japanese soy sauce, Greek yoghurt and
Indian lentils, kimchi is being touted as a cure all for prevention of
diseases like cancer, digestion problems, immune booster, lowering
blood cholesterol and delaying the age process. Korea's favourite spicy cabbage side dish which is served at every meal
is loaded with vitamins A,B and C but its biggest benefit is the
‘healthy bacteria' called lactobacilli found in fermented foods like
kimchi and yoghurt. This good bacteria helps with digestion, plus it
seems to help stop and even prevent yeast infections and contains
compounds that may prevent the growth of cancer.
Koreans eat approximately 20 kilos of kimchi per person each year, so
much so that when Koreans have their photo taken they say ‘kimchi'
instead of ‘cheese'. Kimchi is very much a part of the Korean high
fibre, low-fat diet that keeps obesity at bay.
Kimchi is made from a mix of cabbage, garlic, salt, vinegar and chilli
peppers and the health properties of kimchi come from the fermentation
process. Kimchi has antibiotic functions as lactic acid bacteria
produced in the process of fermentation suppresses growth of harmful
bacteria. This bacteria not only gives a sour flavour to matured kimchi
but also prevents excessive fermentation by restraining growth of other
bacteria. Substances in Kimchi also help to prevent hyperacidity
resulting from excess meat and other acidic foods.
Kimchi is synonymous with Korea, so much so there is a Kimchi Museum in
Seoul. At Gwangju there is an annual Kimchi Festival where visitors can
enjoy making kimchi and try all the various kinds of kimchi. There are
many different kinds of kimchi - some made with cabbage, others made
with cucumber or radish. A Korean meal is incomplete without kimchi.
If you would like to try your hand at making kimchi there are several
cooking courses that you can join in Seoul to experience making kimchi.
Some take you to the local markets to buy the ingredients to make the
kimchi, a very enjoyable and educational experience.
For those interested to learn more about Kimchi and Korean cuisine a
free ‘Wonderful World of Korean Food' booklet is available by
contacting Korea Tourism Organization by email: visitkorea@knto.org.au
or by phone 1800 211 717 |
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 08 April 2007 )
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Thursday, 24 May 2012
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