Makgeolli is a popular Korean alcohol that’s commonly paired with dishes like Pajeon. Koreans crave the combination, especially on a rainy day. While it’s easily accessible even in local Korean marts and supermarkets, we wanted to try making our own using a Makgeolli Kit!
Makgeolli Rice Wine Kit
Thanks to these Makgeolli Rice Wine Kits, you can now make your own makgeolli at home! They can be found easily through online platforms like Shopee and BlueBasket.
They usually contain just a packet of Makgeolli Powder which you add to water and leave to ferment overnight. We imagine that this can be a fun activity for couples to do at home!
The one we tried was the Makgeolli Damda Kit.
Makgeolli Damda Kit
The box comes with a transparent bottle and 2 packets of makgeolli powder. Each packet of the makgeolli powder can make up to 1L of Makgeolli.
Inside the powder is:
- 100% Korean rice (cultivated in Jangheung, Jeolla-do)
- Natural handmade yeast
- Stevia (a natural alternative to sugar)
- Fructooligosaccharides (high lactic acid content)
It’s pretty straightforward, just pour 1L of water (⅔ lukewarm water + ⅓ hot water) into the bottle and add in 1 packet of the makgeolli powder. The water temperature should be around 27 to 30 degrees, but we just eyeballed everything.
Shake the bottle about 5 times, making sure everything is well-mixed. If you see some clumps, it’s okay as they’ll naturally melt in the water later on.
Cover the bottle using cling wrap, we used the one provided by the kit. Make sure to poke some holes and leave it to ferment for 24 to 36 hours.
We left the bottle in a dark area with rather good ventilation since the weather’s been so hot recently.
Taste Test
The first thing we felt was a fizzy sensation which slowly revealed a subtle sourness towards the end. It’s definitely less sweet compared to the commercial bottles on sale. While we were slightly not used to the taste the first time, as we continue drinking it, it became quite addictive.
Alcohol-level wise, it’s not too strong at first but might become more noticeable as you continue drinking.
Making Makgeolli From Scratch
It’s pretty easy making Makgeolli with the help of a kit. It was pretty cool seeing bubbles form during the process, and gradually smelling makgeolli as the fermentation process continued.
Since the product is priced at $19.90, and you can make around 2L of Makgeolli, we would say it’s pretty affordable since one bottle usually costs around $12. The only excruciating part is having to wait 24 to 36 hours for it to ferment, as well as having to chill it afterward.
It’s a nice home project to do with your loved one since we’re pretty much staying home more often these days.
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