Kaoliang liquor facts for kids

Kaoliang liquor, also known as Gaoliang liquor or Sorghum liquor, is a strong drink from China. It is made by distilling fermented sorghum grain. Sorghum is a type of cereal plant. This liquor is a kind of Baijiu, which is a traditional Chinese alcoholic drink.

Kaoliang liquor first appeared during the Ming dynasty. It originated in a place called Dazhigu, which is east of Tianjin in China. People widely drink it across northern China, especially in provinces like Hebei, Shaanxi, and Shandong.

It is mainly made and sold in China and Taiwan. However, it is also popular in Korea, where it is called goryangju (고량주) or bbaegal. Kaoliang liquor usually has an alcohol content between 38% and 63%. The Chyi Leh Wei Distillery in Taiwan makes a kaoliang liquor with a very high alcohol content, up to 92%.

Popular Kaoliang Brands from Taiwan

Taiwan is home to several well-known brands of Kaoliang liquor. These brands are important to the local economy and culture.

Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor

Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor is one of the most popular kaoliang brands in Taiwan. It is made on the island of Kinmen. The most common types are those with 58% and 38% alcohol.

The history of Kinmen's kaoliang production goes back to the Chinese Civil War. General Hu Lien encouraged farmers on Kinmen to grow sorghum. This was to produce their own liquor. Importing alcohol from Taiwan was too expensive. Today, kaoliang liquor is a big part of Kinmen's economy and culture.

Yusan Kaoliang Chiew

Yusan Kaoliang Chiew (Chinese: 玉山高粱酒) is made by the Taiwan Tobacco and Liquor Corporation. It is named after Yushan, which is the tallest mountain in Taiwan. One special product from this brand is an "X.O." kaoliang. This type is aged for five years in large tanks before it is bottled.

Matsu Tunnel 88 Kaoliang Liquor

Matsu Tunnel 88 Kaoliang Liquor (Chinese: 馬祖八八坑道高粱酒) comes from the Matsu Distillery. This distillery is located in Nangan Township in the Lienchiang County. The name "Tunnel 88" comes from an old military tunnel. The distillery now uses this tunnel to store their kaoliang and aged rice wine. All of the distillery's aged kaoliangs are kept in this tunnel for at least five years.

Kaoliang in Stories and Films

Kaoliang liquor has appeared in various forms of popular culture.

Red Sorghum Film

The 1987 film Red Sorghum by Zhang Yimou is set in a rural kaoliang distillery. The story takes place in the Shandong province of China.

Fictional Character Li Kao

The character Li Kao appears in novels by Barry Hughart, such as Bridge of Birds. He is named after kaoliang. In Bridge of Birds, Li Kao jokingly describes kaoliang as "the finest paint thinner and worst wine ever invented."

New Year's Eve Story

Kaoliang is also important in the story "New Year's Eve." This story is part of the collection Taipei People by Taiwanese writer Pai Hsien-yung.

See also

In Spanish: Kaoliang para niños