Official Toast Drink of the Garden Expo 'Hyeonhak (玄鶴)' Tasting Event Held

Using Local Agricultural Products, Makgeolli Without Artificial Sweeteners

Named After the Elegant Suncheon Sijo Black Crane

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik] Suncheon City, Jeollanam-do (Mayor Noh Gwan-gyu) announced that the official toast drink of the 2023 Suncheon Bay International Garden Expo, "Hyeonhak (玄鶴)," held a successful official tasting event at the International Wetland Center Conference Hall on the 26th, receiving high praise from over 100 attendees.

The city invited about 100 participants, including Makgeolli experts and food service industry officials, to directly explain the development process and product lineup of the toast drink, providing all attendees with promotional brochures and tasting opportunities for three types of Makgeolli.

Suncheon City held the official tasting event for the official toast liquor "Hyeonhak (玄鶴)" of the 2023 Suncheon Bay International Garden Expo on the 26th at the International Wetland Center Conference Hall.
Photo by Suncheon City

The tasting event attendees described "Hyeonhak" Makgeolli as "the most Suncheon-like liquor" and expressed great expectations for the launch of premium Makgeolli made using agricultural products from the Suncheon region.

The official toast drink for the expo, planned to generate income for local farmers and ensure the successful hosting of the 2023 Garden Expo, was developed into three types of Makgeolli reflecting recent consumption trends and consumer preferences: Hyeonhak, Hyeonhak-Sunjeong (順情), and Hyeonhak-Sunhyang (順香).

"Hyeonhak (玄鶴)" interprets the black crane, the symbolic bird of Suncheon, as "black Hyeon (玄)" and "crane Hak (鶴)," aiming to be "a Makgeolli that embodies the nobility of the black crane and the sincerity and fragrance of Suncheon." All three types of Makgeolli are premium products brewed primarily using local agricultural products such as Suncheon Bay black crane rice, crown daisy, kiwi, and passion fruit, without any artificial sweeteners.

"Hyeonhak" is an event Makgeolli with 9% alcohol content, infused with Suncheon crown daisy syrup and kiwi syrup, and will be used as the official toast drink at the opening ceremony and various events of the 2023 Garden Expo.

"Hyeonhak-Sunjeong (順情)" is a basic Makgeolli with 12% alcohol content, made using traditional nuruk (fermentation starter) and undergoing long-term low-temperature fermentation to deliver a rich and deep flavor.

"Hyeonhak-Sunhyang (順香)" is a Makgeolli with 7% alcohol content, infused with Suncheon passion fruit syrup, characterized by a fresh aroma and sweet smoothness, targeting preferences of women and the MZ generation.

"Hyeonhak-Sunjeong (順情)" and "Hyeonhak-Sunhyang (順香)" will be available for sale in restaurants and retail stores starting February 28, the Day of the Black Crane, to promote the expo.

Meanwhile, the official toast drink "Hyeonhak" for the 2023 Garden Expo has been developed since July last year by the Namhaean Fermented Food Industry Support Center Foundation, and through a public contest in November, "Suncheon Brewery (CEO Jo Byung-jun et al.)" was selected as the manufacturer and seller. On January 6, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed to enhance manufacturing technology and product quality for mass production.

Mayor Noh Gwan-gyu of Suncheon said, "I thank everyone who has worked together to create a liquor befitting the first-class dignity of Suncheon in such a short period from last July until today," adding, "We will continue to make every effort to commercialize and improve the quality of Hyeonhak, the most Suncheon-like liquor."

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik hss79@asiae.co.kr