Sunchang-gun Develops 'Cheonggukjang DIY Kit' in Just One Day

Utilizing Indigenous Bacillus subtilis... Producing Less Odor and Large Amounts of Mucilage

Sunchang-gun announced on the 17th that the Fermentation Microorganism Industry Promotion Foundation has successfully developed a 'Cheonggukjang DIY Kit' that anyone can easily make.

According to Sunchang-gun, this kit is made primarily from indigenous Cheonggukjang bacteria and soybeans cultivated locally. It is an innovative product that allows consumers to conveniently make and enjoy Cheonggukjang at home.

The development of this kit is the result of joint research between the Sunchang Fermentation Microorganism Industrialization Center and Professor Kim Kwang-pyo of the Department of Food Engineering at Jeonbuk National University, focusing on developing a Cheonggukjang strain with characteristics similar to natto. This strain is Gochobacillus, an indigenous microorganism of the Sunchang region. It produces less odor and a large amount of the functional viscous substance gamma-polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA).

'Cheonggukjang DIY Kit' developed by the Sunchang-gun Foundation for the Promotion of Fermented Microbial Industry.
[Photo by Sunchang-gun]

The kit consists of fully sterilized Sunchang soybeans and powdered Sunchang Cheonggukjang bacteria, and the usage method is simple. After mixing the Sunchang soybeans with the Sunchang Cheonggukjang bacteria, it is left in a warm place (35~45℃) for about a day (24 hours) to ferment. A major advantage is the use of sterilized Sunchang soybeans to eliminate the cumbersome process of consumers purchasing and boiling the soybeans themselves.

In fact, Cheonggukjang is attracting attention as an important plant-based food that can replace animal protein, which is expected to be insufficient for future humanity. Cheonggukjang is a high-quality plant protein food rich in functional peptides, essential amino acids, isoflavones, vitamin K2, and other nutrients.

The Fermentation Microorganism Industrialization Center held a Cheonggukjang making experience using the 'Sunchang Cheonggukjang DIY Kit' during the 19th Sunchang Jangryu Festival. Participants expressed great satisfaction with the ease and convenience of making Cheonggukjang, a traditional fermented food beneficial to health.

Choi Young-il, the governor of Sunchang-gun, stated, "I hope that more people will easily access healthy Cheonggukjang through the developed kit and experience Sunchang's excellent fermentation culture. We will continue to strive to develop various products using local specialties such as jangryu, contributing to regional economic revitalization and the promotion of public health."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.