Ginseng: The most representative plant of the DPRK

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Ginseng is a plant with fleshy roots widely grown in the Korean Peninsula for its health benefits.

In the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), ginseng is made in a variety of ways, such as herbal remedies, candy, wine, and with honey.

Ginseng has fleshy roots. /VCG Photo

There are two popular types of ginseng: red ginseng and white ginseng. The former is usually processed from better quality ginseng.

Ginseng tastes sweet but slightly bitter.

In addition to its health and medicinal effects, ginseng is also often used as a cooking ingredient in the DPRK.

A bowl of Samgyetang. /VCG Photo

Ginseng chicken soup or Samgyetang is one of the traditional dishes in the DPRK. It's a warm porridge of chicken, rice, garlic and ginseng.

In the hot summer days, people in the DPRK would eat Samgyetang to keep their energy levels high.

Chicken and ginseng rice soup. /VCG Photo

Ginseng. /VCG Photo

As ginseng gained popularity in the world in recent years, the DPRK has established ways to supervise its cultivation, purchase, processing, in a unified way.

For the DPRK, ginseng is not only an edible plant, but also the most important cultural symbol of the country.

What are the cultural elements that best represent Asia? Follow up the "Know Asia Better" series. It will offer you a glimpse of 47 Asian countries, through architecture, art or cultural figures to show you a diversified Asia that you may never have noticed before. Themed in the exchanges and mutual learning among Asian civilizations and building a community with a share future for mankind, the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations will be held in Beijing in May.

(Cover image by Fan Chenxiao)