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Honouring ancestors, sharing blessings, and, of course, indulging in delicious meals are all part of the vibrant festival known as Seollal, or Korean New Year. Desserts are a primary part of this happy occasion that represents the expectations and achievements for the following year. Attention is paid to every dish, and most of it looks like it has various representations connected to health, luck, and family time. Sticky rice, nuts, and dried fruits are included in most food items prepared during the traditional Korean New Year celebration because most of the food prepared has some mixing of the sweet and savoury food tastes to create appetising foods. These foods are often given as gifts to relatives and friends in Korean which bring about feelings of friendlessness and happiness. Many of these delicious foods from beautifully pressed tea cakes to warming seasonal punches – represent dreams of prosperity, health, and happiness in the year to come. Every dish prepares the simple ingredients that have been valued for a long time and also demonstrates the distinctive techniques of Korean cuisine.
Dasik (Sesame Tea Cookies)
The elegance of Korean dessert preparation is shown in these delicate pressed tea cookies. Dasik, which is mostly made from roasted sesame seeds, pine nuts, or black beans that have been finely ground and bonded with honey, needs to be made with exacting technique in order to produce its very complex designs. Using carved wooden moulds that imprint ancient designs that symbolise luck and nature, each cookie is meticulously pressed. Not only does the exterior look great, but the inside is also sweet and nutty, perfect for the traditional Korean teas. The Korean love of well-balanced flavours is reflected in the melt-in-your-mouth texture and gentle sweetness.
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Yaksik (Sweet Rice Dessert)
Glutinous rice is combined with a variety of nuts, dried fruits, and honey or brown sugar to create this filling dessert. Literally meaning "medicinal food," the term "yaksik" refers to its wholesome components. Chewy rice is flavoured using soy sauce, sesame oil and cinnamon in order to give a mouth watering and well balanced between a salted and sweet taste. Jujubes, pine nuts and chestnuts include traditional health benefits and a crunchy taste. The rice is made transparent and infused with the flavours of the fruits and nuts by steaming the ingredients together.
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Sujeonggwa (Cinnamon Ginger Punch)
This aromatic combination is a digestive aid as well as a dessert. Sujeonggwa, which is made by simmering ginger and cinnamon sticks and then sweetened with honey or brown sugar, provides a comforting warmth during the chilly New Year's festivities. Any celebratory table during the Lunar New Year would benefit from the stunning display, which is frequently adorned with pine nuts for an elegant touch. A rich flavour profile that is both calming and refreshing is produced by the blend of spices.
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Sikhye (Korean Sweet Rice Punch)
The elegance of Korean dessert beverages is represented by this distinctive fermented rice beverage. Sikhye, which is made from cooked rice fermented with malt powder, naturally becomes sweet because the starches in the rice are converted to sugars. The soft rice grains float at the bottom of the clear, cool liquid, which is frequently topped with pine nuts. It's a pleasant end to hearty holiday dinners because of its mild malty flavour and gentle sweetness. Sikhye is a must-have for joyful gatherings during Seollal, as it represents sweetness and fulfilment in the upcoming year.
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Yakgwa (Fried Honey Cookie)
Traditionally offered in Korea's ancient courts, these flower-shaped biscuits have a royal heritage. The dough, which is made of wheat flour, sesame oil, and honey, is meticulously formed, cooked till golden brown, and then soaked in a syrup made of ginger and honey. These cookies become beautiful golden-brown when frying and are then covered with sticky honey, which gives them sweetness that matches when having with tea or coffee. While the oil guarantees a soft, flaky texture, the honey's dual use in the dough and soaking syrup produces a rich, complex sweetness. The word "yakgwa" means "medicinal confection," alluding to the medicinal properties that traditional Korean medicine attaches to honey.
Image Credit: Flickr
The richness and warmth of the Lunar New Year festivities are beautifully captured in these five classic Korean desserts. Every single desert is connected with wealth, health, and happiness, which are good things to have when enjoying this important occasion.
