Soju – All You Need to Know | Instacart Guide to Alcohol

What is soju?

Soju, which translates to “burned liquor,” is a clear Korean liquor traditionally made from rice, wheat, or barley. It ranges in alcohol content from 17-53% and is primarily served neat. It does not have an afterburn compared to other liquours due to its average alcohol percentage being around 20%. Soju is the top-selling liquor in the entire world by volume, even with having a small presence in the United States.

Etiquette dictates that the youngest person at the table pours the drinks for their elders. This can be from both an age and company hierarchy standpoint. The soju is poured while holding the bottle with both hands, and if you are receiving a pour, you should hold your glass with two hands. The most important rule is that you never pour your own soju.

One of the most popular cocktails in Korea is a mixture of soju, Sprite, and Yakult. Yakult is a probiotic yogurt drink similar to a watered-down form of yogurt. This drink is sour, lemony, creamy, and carbonated. It goes perfectly with fried food since the flavors cut through the grease.

What is the history of soju?

Soju has been dated as far back as the 13th century in Korea. The Mongol invaders introduced the distilling technique during the Goryeo Dynasty, who learned this technique from the Persians. Genghis Khan and his lineage may even have had their hands in this. He first invaded Persia, where they learned this technique, and then his grandson Kublai Khan invaded Korea.

The spirit was traditionally made from rice, but the distillation of rice was banned during the Korean War. People started to distill it from wheat, sweet potatoes, and even tapioca instead. Even after the ban was lifted in 1990, some companies stuck with these alternative ingredients. Using these alternative ingredients produced ethanol, which has a 95% alcohol content. The ethanol-based soju was then diluted, sweetened, and flavored.

It took until around the year 2000 for soju to become popular across the rest of the world, where it only continues to grow in popularity.

How is soju made?

The distillation of soju is a relatively simple process. It is started by rinsing rice with cold water until the water runs clear. Then the rice is then soaked in cold water for about an hour. Once the soaking is finished, the rice is steamed for another hour and then cooled. Next, the rice is mixed with water, yeast, and Nuruk enzyme and sealed up.

The mixture must be stirred and resealed multiple times a day for the first week of the process. After the first week of stirring, the mixture is left to sit undisturbed for 2 weeks until all gasses have naturally released. Once it is done fermenting, the mixture is strained through a colander. Finally, sugar is added to sweeten the soju, and then it is ready to drink.

Soju becomes higher in alcohol content the longer it is left to ferment. It can also be sweetened with extra sugar or have flavorings added during the fermentation process.

What should I look for when buying soju?

Soju comes in many forms. Depending on what you are in the mood for, try one of the following:

• Distilled soju: This is the traditional style of soju. It is generally around 25% ABV and is highly refined. It isn’t as popular as it once was, but if you want the original, give this a try.
• Diluted soju: This soju takes the traditionally distilled soju and dilutes it with water to lower the ABV to between 14-20% ABV. This makes it much easier to sip, and you can consume more with friends without overdrinking. 
• Cocktail soju: These are sojus that have fruity flavors added to them in the distillation process. If the flavoring is added after bottling, it will mask the subtle flavor of the soju. The most popular flavors are green grape, peach, apple, pineapple, yogurt, and plum.

If you are looking to have your groceries delivered, you can easily shop for soju via Instacart. After adding a product to your cart, use the “Instructions” option to notify your Instacart shopper about any preferences or specific directions on how to choose the best products. Shop for soju.

Grab it now on Instacart:

Jinro Original Chamisul Soju (375 ml)

SOONHARI Korean Soju Peach (375 ml)

Jinro Spirits (750 ml)

SOONHARI Korean Soju Apple (375 ml)

Jinro Original Chamisul Soju (375 ml)

How can I tell if soju goes bad?

How long it takes for soju to go bad depends on how it was made. If you buy fresh soju, it will last around a year or two before the sugar separates from the rest of the drink, making it taste terrible. Commercially produced soju usually has enough preservatives to last a lot longer, but the flavor might eventually start to fade. The traditional style of distilled soju will never go bad due because it’s just alcohol and water. As always, if the taste seems off, it is time to dump it out.

How can I find soju near me?

You can find soju in most stores that sell other liquors or even at Korean grocery stores if you have one in your neighborhood. It almost always comes in a green bottle, so keep your eyes open for that. You can order soju via Instacart as long as you are over the age of 21. You can have it delivered on the same day or schedule a delivery for sometime in the future.

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