Peaches are a summer favorite in Korea!
Long considered the “fruit of the gods“, they symbolize beauty and health.
Here’s how Koreans enjoy this delightful fruit!
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Quick Summary
- Peaches are called boksoonga in Korean.
- There are nectarine, white peach, and yellow peach in South Korea.
- Korean peaches are considered a summer fruit, and they’re best from June to August.
Fruits like watermelon and grapes are best eaten in season.
What are the types of Korean peaches?
Smooth-skinned Peaches vs. Fuzzy Peaches
Korean peaches are first categorized depending on “fuzz” coverage.
Nectarine (천도복숭아 or heavenly peach) is a smooth-skinned peach. It tastes pretty sour, but is refreshing on a hot day.
Within the fuzzy peach category, they’re further divided by color: white peaches (백도) and yellow peaches (황도). They’re juicy and sweet!
When Koreans say “peach”, they usually mean the furry ones. For nectarines, we say the full name in Korean.
Hard Peaches (딱복) vs. Soft Peaches (물복)
Koreans love joining teams. We tend to pick a side out of any two options.
Examples are:
- pouring or dipping tangsuyook sauce (부먹 vs. 찍먹)
- hot americano or iced americano (뜨아 vs. 아아)
When it comes to peaches, we debate about hard peaches versus soft peaches (딱복 vs. 물복).
This is all within the white peach category as it offers different textures, while yellow peaches are all soft.
Insider Tip!
Flat peaches (납작 복숭아) have been making waves on social media in Korea. Originating in China but made popular in Europe, flat peaches are known for their cute doughnut-like shape and delicious taste. They’ve been deemed a must-try dish for Koreans traveling in Europe. Flat peaches are now available in the land of morning calm!
How do you select peaches and store them?
When you’re at a Korean grocery store, look for peaches that are clean, free of bruises, have a strong aroma, and a consistent color.
Insider Tip!
Korean moms just know where to buy the best peaches. They’re usually through acquaintances or from a farm. They often have their own fruit guy at traditional markets.
No worries if you don’t have a Korean mom, you have this post!
After you buy peaches, you can store them at room temperature, if you’re going to eat them within two to three days. If not, refrigerate to make them last longer.
Korean peaches are best at temperatures between 46 and 55°F (or 8 and 13°C).
If you refrigerate peaches, let them sit at room temperature for an hour before eating for maximum enjoyment!
How do Koreans enjoy peaches?
1. Eat them straight up!
Koreans simply cut, plate, and enjoy them right after a meal. This is an integral part of the Korean dining experience designed to bring people closer together.
2. Make peach cheong (syrup) for peach drinks
Koreans also turn peaches into cheong (청 or sweetened fruits in syrup, marmalade, or compote form) to preserve and enjoy them longer!
Once you have this sweet home-made syrup, you can make peach drinks like ade, iced tea, or latte whenever you want!
3. Can or bottle peaches
The easiest way to enjoy the sweetest version is to buy “canned peaches” from a grocery store.
Korean canned peaches make a great addition to bingsoo or hwachae!
If the store-bought cans taste way too sweet for you, try the home-made version from the recipe above.
Or simply rinse/soak them in water.
4. Try the trendy Greek Peach
“Greek Peach” is a trendy sweet treat, invented in Korea.
It’s basically a dessert made by pitting peaches, filling them with Greek yogurt, peeling the skin, putting homemade granola on a plate, placing the peaches on top, and drizzling it all with honey.
Since the dessert costs about 12 dollars in Cheongdam, many locals make it at home.
What are the health benefits of Korean peaches?
Peaches are rich in organic acids, including tartaric, malic, and citric acids, as well as vitamins, minerals, and sugars to help fight fatigue and boost immunity.
They also have warming properties that improve blood circulation and protect the heart.
Peaches are also known to help relieve constipation.
Insider Tip!
No matter how healthy peaches may seem, there are Korean foods incompatible with them.
Do NOT eat peaches after having nourishing meals like eel, abalone, or Samgyetang since they all have warming properties.
This is some folksy wisdom passed down the years.
What is the Korean word for peach?
Peaches are called boksoonga (복숭아), pronounced bok-soong-ah in Korean.
How many calories do Korean peaches have?
34 kcal per 100 g (3.5 oz)
When is Korean peach season?
Peaches are considered a summer fruit, and they’re best from June to August!
Can cats and dogs eat Korean peaches?
Yes, as long as your cats and dogs don’t have diabetes and are not allergic to peaches, you can feed them in moderation. NEVER give them peach seeds or skin though!
