 Maesil, ready to be processed for tea, at the “maesil-experience” day held June 18 at Deoksu Palace in Seoul / Korea Times Photos by Shim Hyun-chul |
By Shim Hyun-chulStaff Reporter
The fruit of the maesil tree that have long been a symbol of spring, turn the taste buds to delight when summer comes.
These small, dainty fruits are born a light green color, then transform into a brilliant yellow when ripening. The fruit's maturation is accompanied by an aromatic fragrance and a hint of a shy, red blush. The maesil fruit has a history of medicinal uses dating back to the Three Kingdoms Era. The ``Dongeuibogam,'' an ancient Korean medicine text, notes the maesil's uses among its pages. From adjusting blood alkalinity to preventing simple dehydration, physicians and commoners alike found a multitude of uses for the fruit. It is also known to help create stronger digestive systems, promote heart regularity and serve as an antibacterial agent. Today, the maesil fruit is still consumed for these purposes.
Preparation of the fruit as food varies from the sweet to the sour. Maesil can be squeezed and strained into juice, pickled in salt or preserved. It can also be made into liquor, called maesil-ju, which has a sweet and smooth taste. The fruit is found mostly in Gwangyang, South Jeolla Province, Yeongcheon, North Gyeongsang Province, and Hadong, South Gyeongsang Province. It is also consumed in Japan and China.
shim@koreatimes.co.kr
![[ANALYSIS] S. Korean economy feared to follow in Japan's footsteps](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/3f9cf9747722448a8fd8da85b041817c.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[REVIEW] 'The ODD Of Love' concert: Taeyeon shows why she is among K-pop's top vocalists](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/e385d0918b054c1286a1cfaa3142439e.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] 'One Day Off' star Lee Na-young, director on creating subtle, feel-good series](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/796618f56a44402eabe81fe4530ab988.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
