Gwapyeon
Encyclopedia
Gwapyeon is a variety of hangwa
or Korea
n traditional confectionery
made by boiling fruits, starch
, and sugar
, until they reach a jellylike
consistency. The fruits for the hangwa are Korean cherry
, apricot
, Chinese quince, and omija (Schisandra chinensis
) which have a soft texture, large amounts of natural pectin and a tart-sweet flavor. Apple
s, Korean pears and peach
es are not used because if they are heated, the colors are not suitable for making gwapyeon. Starch, usually mung bean
, functions as a gelling agent to solidify the mixed materials.
It was used for special occasions such as janchi (잔치; feast or banquet).
Hangwa
Hangwa is a general term for Korean traditional confectionery. Common ingredients in hangwa are grain flour, honey, yeot, sugar, fruit or edible root.-Types of hangwa:*Yumilgwa : made by frying and kneading....
or Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
n traditional confectionery
Confectionery
Confectionery is the set of food items that are rich in sugar, any one or type of which is called a confection. Modern usage may include substances rich in artificial sweeteners as well...
made by boiling fruits, starch
Starch
Starch or amylum is a carbohydrate consisting of a large number of glucose units joined together by glycosidic bonds. This polysaccharide is produced by all green plants as an energy store...
, and sugar
Sugar
Sugar is a class of edible crystalline carbohydrates, mainly sucrose, lactose, and fructose, characterized by a sweet flavor.Sucrose in its refined form primarily comes from sugar cane and sugar beet...
, until they reach a jellylike
Fruit preserves
Fruit preserves are preparations of fruits and sugar, often canned or sealed for long-term storage. The preparation of fruit preserves today often involves adding commercial or natural pectin as a gelling agent, although sugar or honey may be used, as well. Prior to World War II, fruit preserve...
consistency. The fruits for the hangwa are Korean cherry
Prunus maximowiczii
Prunus maximowiczii, known as the Miyama cherry or Korean cherry , is a small , fruiting cherry tree that can be found growing wild in northeastern Asia and Eurasia.- Taxonomy :The species was first described in 1857 by Franz Josef Ruprecht...
, apricot
Apricot
The apricot, Prunus armeniaca, is a species of Prunus, classified with the plum in the subgenus Prunus. The native range is somewhat uncertain due to its extensive prehistoric cultivation.- Description :...
, Chinese quince, and omija (Schisandra chinensis
Schisandra chinensis
Schisandra chinensis is a deciduous woody vine native to forests of Northern China and the Russian Far East. It is hardy in USDA Zone 4. The plant likes some shade with moist, well-drained soil...
) which have a soft texture, large amounts of natural pectin and a tart-sweet flavor. Apple
Apple
The apple is the pomaceous fruit of the apple tree, species Malus domestica in the rose family . It is one of the most widely cultivated tree fruits, and the most widely known of the many members of genus Malus that are used by humans. Apple grow on small, deciduous trees that blossom in the spring...
s, Korean pears and peach
Peach
The peach tree is a deciduous tree growing to tall and 6 in. in diameter, belonging to the subfamily Prunoideae of the family Rosaceae. It bears an edible juicy fruit called a peach...
es are not used because if they are heated, the colors are not suitable for making gwapyeon. Starch, usually mung bean
Mung bean
The mung bean is the seed of Vigna radiata. It is native to the Indian subcontinent.-Description:They are small, ovoid in shape, and green in color...
, functions as a gelling agent to solidify the mixed materials.
It was used for special occasions such as janchi (잔치; feast or banquet).