Ginseng Candies (Jeonggwa): A Delicious and Healthy Treat
Ginseng Slice Jeonggwa – A Dish That Will Earn You Compliments
Served with tea or as a delightful snack, this dish is guaranteed to receive praise! Our Ginseng Slice Jeonggwa is easy to make and boasts a sophisticated flavor profile that speaks of care and quality.
Ingredients- 250g Ginseng (medium part, sliced diagonally about 6mm thick)
- 400ml Corn Syrup (Mulyeot)
- 40ml Water
- Sugar for dusting (optional)
- Fresh herb sprigs or dried flowers for garnish (optional)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Thoroughly wash the fresh ginseng, removing the root crown. Select the middle portion of the ginseng and slice it diagonally into approximately 6mm thick pieces, preparing 250g. Slicing them to this thickness ensures a chewy texture when dried. (Tip: If you steam the ginseng immediately after slicing, it will retain its natural beautiful color. However, if you slice it and refrigerate for about 3 days, saponins in the ginseng can cause browning. This is a natural process and doesn’t significantly affect the taste or texture.)
Step 2
Place the prepared ginseng slices in a steamer and steam for about 7 minutes. This steaming process softens the ginseng’s slightly bitter notes and enhances its chewy texture.
Step 3
In a saucepan, combine 400ml of corn syrup and 40ml of water, stirring them together. Add the steamed ginseng slices to the mixture. Cook over medium-low heat for about 7 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure the syrup coats the ginseng evenly.
Step 4
Lightly sprinkle sugar onto a serving plate or tray. (Tip: Dusting with sugar prevents the finished jeonggwa from sticking to the plate. Instead of white sugar, consider using organic or brown sugar, which complements the natural color of the browned ginseng and adds a more elegant touch.) Carefully arrange the ginseng slices, taken from the syrup, one by one onto the sugar-dusted surface. While the jeonggwa is still slightly moist, garnish with fresh herb sprigs or dried flowers for a beautiful presentation.
Step 5
(Practical Tip from Experience) If you find yourself making this late at night without fresh herbs, you can creatively use thinly sliced vegetable leaves for garnish. After drying overnight, the color remained unchanged, and the taste was quite satisfactory.
Step 6
The finished Ginseng Slice Jeonggwa offers a delightful chewy texture, a subtle sweetness, and a healthy, slightly bitter aftertaste. The rich ginseng aroma invigorates the senses, imparting a feeling of well-being. You’ll likely feel inspired to recreate this dish, aiming for an even more aesthetically pleasing result next time. This jeonggwa looks like a labor of love and feels inherently healthy, making it a perfect accompaniment to tea or a sophisticated dessert that is sure to impress your guests and earn you many compliments.
