By Zulfikhri Sapari
Annyeong-Haseyo! Are you familiar with the word, K-I-M-C-H-I? Well, it is a kind of traditional Korean food dish with a red look-like and it has a sour taste, mainly made from Nappa Cabbage or radish which contains lots of nutrition that give benefits to our body. The word ˜kimchi originated from the Korean word ˜Shimchae which means ˜salting of vegetable.
Kimchi is made from a few main ingredients, which are hot red chili pepper powder, vegetables, garlic, salt, and vinegar. It will be stored in a cold place to be fermented for quite some times. Usually, it takes at least a week for the kimchi to be well- fermented. The longer it is fermented, the better it is to our body.
According to the health magazine, kimchi is rich in vitamins A, B, and C. The benefit of kimchi is that it contains ˜lactobacilli, good bacteria, which is usually found in fermented food like yogurt. This good bacteria helps with human digestion, prevent yeast infections, and some studies show fermented kimchi has the ability to prevent the growth of cancer.
Besides, kimchi also acts like anti-biotic functions because of the presence of good bacteria. In some research conducted by researchers, it was explained that due to the process of fermentation, this good bacteria helps build resistance in the body by killing the harmful bacteria. They also will help to relieve intestinal disorders by preventing the growth of other bacteria that may give harm in the human intestines.
Furthermore, the lactic acid that formed in the kimchi is effective to help with adult diseases such as diabetes, and gastrointestinal cancers. Juices that come from the vegetables and salt in kimchi help the intestines to remain clean as well.
Judy Joo, the host chef for ˜Korean made simple stated that ˜kimchi is low with calories; it helps to boost your metabolism and aid in weight loss. It is suitable for your diet.
Kimchi is a staple in Korean cooking. It can be in their breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Korean people have been eating that for almost every day. They diversified the use of kimchi by putting them in pizza, pancakes or even burgers. According to The Seoul Times Online, Koreans eat kimchi for about 40 pounds per year for each person. Even, in their daily life, they will say the word œkimchi” instead of “cheese” when getting their pictures taken.
Because it contain a lot of nutrition, no wonder that kimchi is being selected as one of the world’s five healthiest foods by Health Magazine of the United States along with olive oil from Spain, the soy from Japan, yoghurt from Greece, and lentils from India.
Nowadays, because of its popularity, kimchi has become a famous international dish which everyone from all around the world can enjoy it. It can easily be found everywhere including in supermarkets.
So, what are you waiting for? Lets eat kimchi to start your healthy life!***
Photo courtesy of Kimchimari