Yumil-gwa

Yakgwa, a variety of yumil-gwa
Place of origin	Korea
Associated cuisine	Korean cuisine
Media: Yumil-gwa

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Yumil-gwa (Korean: 유밀과; Hanja: 油蜜菓) is a variety of hangwa, a traditional Korean confection. Different varieties of yumil-gwa can be made by combining a wheat flour dough with various ingredients such as: honey, cooking oil, cinnamon powder, nuts, ginger juice, jujube, and cheongju (rice wine).^[1]

Etymology

The word yumil-gwa consists of three syllables: yu (유; 油) meaning "oil", mil (밀; 蜜) meaning "honey", and gwa (과; 菓) meaning "confection".

History

Yumil-gwa varieties have commonly been used and consumed for jesa (ancestral rites).^[2]

During the Goryeo era (918–1392), yumil-gwa were offered during national feasts, rites, ceremonies, and banquets, including two Buddhist festivals, the Lotus Lantern Festival and the Festival of the Eight Vows.^[3] In 1274, yumil-gwa varieties were used for pyebaek (formal greeting) in the wedding ceremony of King Chungnyeol and Princess Jeguk of Yuan China.^[3] In 1296, yumil-gwa was brought to the wedding ceremony of the Crown Prince Won (later King Chungseon) and Princess Gyeguk of Yuan, China.^[2]

Excessive use of yumil-gwa has led to the introduction of several regulations throughout history.^[3] In 1117, King Sukjong issued a restriction on the extravagant usage of yumil-gwa.^[3] In 1192, it was commanded that yumil-gwa had to be replaced with fruits. In 1353, a total ban was placed on yumil-gwa.^[2] During the Joseon era (1392–1897), the use of yumil-gwa was restricted solely for rites, weddings, and toasts to longevity.^[3]

Preparation and variations

Dough for yumil-gwa is made by kneading sifted wheat flour with sesame oil, honey, ginger juice, and cheongju (rice wine).^[1] Additional ingredients for filling and garnishing may include cinnamon powder, honey, jujube, and pine nuts.^[1] Deep-fried yumil-gwa is soaked in honey or jocheong (rice syrup), and dried.^[1]

• Chasu-gwa (차수과; 叉手菓) is a hand-shaped yumil-gwa with five fingers.^[4]
• Jungbaekki (중배끼), also called junggye (중계; 中桂), jungbakgye (중박계; 中朴桂), or junggye-gwa (중계과; 中桂菓), are rectangular yumil-gwa that are pan-fried before served.^[5]
• Mandu-gwa (만두과; 饅頭菓) is deep-fried sweet dumplings.
• Maejap-gwa (매잡과; 梅雜菓), also called maejak-gwa (매작과; 梅雀菓) or tarae-gwa (타래과), is a ribbon-shaped yumil-gwa.
• Yakgwa (약과; 藥果), also called gwajul (과줄), is flower-shaped yumil-gwa made by molding and deep-frying sweet dough.
• Yohwa-gwa (요화과; 蓼花菓) is a yumil-gwa made into the shape of water-pepper flower.^[6]