PHOTOS: What makes Sangju's staple dried persimmons special
By Cho Bo-heePosted : January 15, 2025, 10:01Updated : January 15, 2025, 15:06
Dried persimmons are displayed in Sangju, North Gyeongsang Province on Jan. 11, 2025. AJP Cho Bo-hee
SEOUL, January 15 (AJP) - Dried persimmons are among the most delectable winter delicacies for many South Koreans, with roughly 60 percent of their output coming from Sangju, North Gyeongsang Province.
Farmers in Sangju usually get busy in mid-October as they start peeling persimmons and drying them for about two to three months, just before the chilly winter wind begins to blow.
A worker hangs persimmons at a facility in Sangju, North Gyeongsang Province, in this undated photo. AJP Cho Bo-hee
Persimmons, a versatile fruit eaten either fresh or dried, are harvested in late autumn when they taste their best. They can also be eaten at various stages of ripeness.
It takes about two months to turn persimmons into half-dried ones, and fully drying them requires a few more weeks or up to 80 days.
Fluctuations in temperatures help the drying process, making them chewy while retaining their sweet flavors.
Situated on a vast plain surrounded by the peaks of Mt. Sokri, the farming town's warm daytime temperatures under the sun and crisp evenings at that time of year offer optimal conditions for drying persimmons.
Workers hang persimmons at a facility in Sangju, North Gyeongsang Province, in this undated photo. AJP Cho Bo-hee
Unlike many dried persimmons that could often end up becoming overly dry and losing moisture, the ones from Sangju boast sweeter and chewier qualities due to the region's unique climate conditions. They are known to contain seven times more vitamin A and 1.5 times more vitamin C than those from other areas, making them a local staple.
Workers pose with dried persimmons at a facility in Sangju, North Gyeongsang Province, on Jan. 11, 2025. AJP Cho Bo-hee
Rich in antioxidants and full of fiber and vitamins, dried persimmons are covered with white powder due to the glucose and fructose that form on their skin, which can provide instant energy to the body as well as nutrients to muscles, making them the perfect handy snack for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts.
Workers peel persimmons at a facility in Sangju, North Gyeongsang Province, on Jan. 11, 2025. AJP Cho Bo-hee
They are also popular gifts during the country's biggest holidays such as the Lunar New Year's Day and Chuseok.
In recent years, demand from abroad has grown, driven by the global popularity of K-pop and South Korean soaps.
The sun-dried treat's top export destinations are the U.S. and Canada, where many South Korean expats live, followed by Southeast Asian countries and several European nations like the Netherlands.
A festival promoting dried persimmons is packed with visitors in Sangju, North Gyeongsang Province on Jan. 11, 2025. AJP Cho Bo-hee
With its stunning mountain scenery, ancient temples, and historical sites including Gyeongcheondae, an observatory famous for its cliffs and pine trees overlooking the Nakdong River, Sangju attracts a steady stream of tourists all year round.
Especially in Autumn, many professional photographers flock to the town, eager to capture the spectacular scenes of drying persimmons.
Workers peel persimmons at a facility in Sangju, North Gyeongsang Province, in this undated photo. AJP Cho Bo-hee
Dried persimmons are hung in a village in Sangju, North Gyeongsang Province, in this undated photo. AJP Cho Bo-hee
Dried persimmons are ready to be packaged at a facility in Sangju, North Gyeongsang Province on Jan. 11, 2025. AJP Cho Bo-hee
Dried persimmons are hung at a facility in Sangju, North Gyeongsang Province. in this undated photo. AJP Cho Bo-heeAJP Cho Bo-hee
Packages of dried persimmons are placed at a facility in Sangju, North Gyeongsang Province on Jan. 11, 2025. AJP Cho Bo-hee
Workers peel persimmons at a facility in Sangju, North Gyeongsang Province, on Jan. 11, 2025. AJP Cho Bo-hee
A vendor offers visitors a chance to try dried persimmons at a festival in Sangju, North Gyeongsang Province on Jan. 11, 2025. AJP Cho Bo-hee
Gift packages of dried persimmons are placed at a facility in Sangju, North Gyeongsang Province on Jan. 11, 2025. AJP Cho Bo-hee
Packages of dried persimmons are placed at a facility in Sangju, North Gyeongsang Province on Jan. 11, 2025. AJP Cho Bo-hee