The Legendary Liquor "Chuseongju" Said to Be Taught by a Wildcat Selected as Jeonnam's Traditional Liquor for July

A Thousand-Year Legacy: Once a Temple Medicine,
Revived by Korea Food Grand Master

Choo Sungjoo Set. Provided by Jeonnam Province

Jeonnam Province has selected "Chuseongju," a traditional liquor from Damyang Chuseong Village (CEO Yang Daesu), as the representative traditional liquor for July. According to legend, the secret recipe for this liquor was passed down by a wildcat.

Chuseongju is a medicinal liquor originating from Yeondongsa in Damyang and boasts a history of nearly 1,000 years.

This liquor, once known as a staple medicine in Buddhism and an elixir in Taoism, was handed down within the family of master artisan Yang Daesu. The tradition began when his great-grandfather received the "Jubangmun" (liquor recipe document) from the head monk of Yeondongsa during the late Joseon Dynasty.

However, the legacy of Chuseongju gradually faded due to the Japanese occupation, the prohibition of home-brewed liquors, and the discontinuation of traditional brewing during his father's generation.

The person who revived and restored this lost tradition is Yang Daesu, designated as Korea Food Grand Master No. 22. Based on the inherited Jubangmun, Yang Daesu mastered traditional brewing methods on his own, from processing medicinal herbs to fermentation and distillation, successfully bringing Chuseongju back to life. After four years of trial and error, he was recognized by village elders for recreating the "taste from memory," which demonstrates the true value of Chuseongju.

Chuseongju is carefully crafted using nuruk (traditional fermentation starter), rice, goji berries, omija (Schisandra berries), and more than 10 types of medicinal herbs. It is fermented for 10 to 12 days at 25 to 30°C, then completed through aging and filtration processes.

Unlike other traditional liquors, Chuseongju uses only 6 to 7 percent nuruk and is fermented with malted barley, resulting in a smooth and subtly sweet flavor despite its 25 percent alcohol content, making it not harsh.

Park Sangmi, head of the Agricultural and Food Distribution Division of Jeonnam Province, stated, "Chuseongju is a precious liquor that preserves traditional values while also catering to the tastes and sensibilities of modern people. We will continue to discover and promote outstanding traditional liquors from Jeonnam to enhance the competitiveness of our regional brands."