Korean Job Discussion Forums

[TommyPickles]

The chili pepper has long been considered a beloved spice within Korea. It is infused in almost every dish of Korean food, in particular the national vegetable dish kimchi. But just how did it come to be?

Chili Peppers are a fruit of the plant capsicum and originated from the Americas (approx. 7000 BC). They were brought to the attention of the world thanks to the Spanish explorers such as Christopher Colombus, who understood that knowledge and wisdom can only be gained through experiencing the world and its treasures. And so it has become that the world began to experience the capscium, which originates from the Greek word 'kapto', through spice traders who travelled the world trading their wares.

"In Korean history, it reads that paprika was introduced from Japan in 1614(the 6th year of King Gwanghaegun) and also introduced from China in 1710(the 36th year of King Sukjong), but there were actually peppers while the real paprika was introduced recently." http://www.whimori.com/eng/product/product_papri01.jsp

With Korea being founded in Gojoseon in 2333 BC that means that of 4339 years of recognised Korean history, the humble chili pepper was only around for a maximum of 392 years (ie. 9% of their history).

The Korean national dish kimchi which we come to know is a mixture of cabbage fermented in chili and other spices. Traditionally however it was originally salted pickled greens, beginning in 7th century. http://english.tour2korea.com/05food/Introduction/ddt_kimchi01.asp?kosm=m5_1&konum=subm2_1

In fact it is shown that a particular well-recognised cookbook in 1670 still made no mention of chili peppers in kimchi and most estimations put chili pepper (along with Chinese cabbage) adoption into kimchi at least two hundred years after chili pepper introduction (ie. ~early 1800s/19th century). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chili_pepper

Therefore chili-infused kimchi and other dishes have only been around for around 200 years (ie. 4.5%) of Korea's long history! That puts chili kimchi adoption in Korea at the same time as the industrial revolution was occuring in Europe.

Just for relativity, that means the kingdoms of Silla in 676, Goryeo Dynasty in 13th Century (of which the English name 'Korea' comes from) and King Sejong (who invented Hangul alphabet language) were never eating chili or chili-infused kimchi!

The majority of your typical Korean ancient history dramas are featured in those 'Golden Ages' of Korean dynasties. So next time they show people eating chili-fermented kimchi, or any other chili dish, be sure to yell out 'fake'! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korea

In fact it wasnt until after the Joseon Dynasty (16th century) that chili was introduced.. just before the Manchu invasion that eventually conquered Ming China. Interestingly shortly thereafter during this Dynasty period Korea adopted a isolationist policy, earning the Western nickname "the Hermit Kingdom", whereby Koreans shut their doors to foreign influence until the colonisation/annexation of their country by Japan (1910) and the subsequent liberation and economic assistance by the Americans and allied forces (1953). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_War

So next time you are asked the history of kimchi rather than replying like George Bush http://yorkweekly.com/2000news/1_14e.htm you can confidently remark on how it came to be Korean!

Cheers
Leon

[gang ah jee]

Chili peppers aren't vegetables, Einstein.

[rothkowitz]

Nor is the Korean variant especially flavoursome or spicy.

[TommyPickles]

Thanks for the replies.

In regards to chili pepper's being fruits, yes you are correct and I should have stated that more clearly. I initially wrote about the history of the korean national vegetable dish, kimchi, when I realised that there is a fascinating side-story regarding chili, so I changed the direction of the article. Although I admit there's no excuse for lazy editorialising, so thanks for pointing that out.

In regards to 'notoriously spicy and flavoursome', that was in reference to Korean food.

The focus of the article is to discuss how the status quo views chili-infused kimchi and Korean foods as being part of the rich national history, when in reality it has only been around a short while.

[gang ah jee]

[billybrobby]

It's a nice write-up, but by your tone it seems like you think you're exposing some sort secret about Korea.

To me, 392 years or 192 years is long enough to declare something to be a part of one's national history.

Also, some of the websites you cite do not contain information that supports your assertions - as in the following:

[casey's moon]

I first learned that kimchi wasn't spicy originally from Arirang television (it was the only English channel I got at first), so there is nothing too new here..... sorry. In fact, it is something that Koreans still try telling me as new information now and then, after 6 years of living here.

[thebum]

i thought it was brought to asia/korea by the portuguese.

[bobbyhanlon]

yep.. lunchtime at my company is torture. every time, somebody will ask 'isn't this too spicy?', 'do you know what this is?', 'can you eat this?' ad nauseam. somehow the fact that they've seen me using chopsticks, eating spicy food and so on every day doesn't seem to register with some people!

[Hater Depot]

Modern kimchi didn't become really popular until about a bit over 100 years ago. It's also the red pepper which shaped what we know today as Szechuan Chinese food.

[blaseblasphemener]

[JeJuJitsu]

Brought From India to Europe, refined in Hungary.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paprika

[Ilsanman]

[endofthewor1d]

[gang ah jee]