Omija-hwachae facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Omija-hwachae

Type	Hwachae
Place of origin	Korea
Associated national cuisine	Korean cuisine
Serving temperature	4–10 °C (39–50 °F)
Main ingredients	Magnolia berries
Food energy (per 1 serving)	17.5 kcal (73 kJ)

Omija-hwachae (오미자화채; 五味子花菜), also known as magnolia berry punch, is a super refreshing and tasty drink from Korea. It's a type of Hwachae, which means "punch" in Korean. This special punch gets its beautiful reddish-pink color and unique sweet-and-sour taste from magnolia berries, called omija in Korean. People in Korea often enjoy Omija-hwachae when the weather is hot, especially during summer.

How Omija-Hwachae is Made

Making Omija-hwachae starts with its main ingredient: dried magnolia berries. These berries are known as omija in Korean.

Preparing the Berry Base

• First, dried omija berries are soaked in water.
• They stay in the water until the liquid turns a lovely reddish-pink color.
• Next, the liquid is carefully strained through a fine cloth. This removes any small bits from the berries.
• Finally, the berry liquid is sweetened. People can use honey, sugar, or a sweet syrup to make it taste just right.

Serving the Punch

• Omija-hwachae is usually served chilled. It's best when it's nice and cold.
• To make it look extra special, thin slices of Asian pear are added.
• Tiny pine nuts are also floated on top. These garnishes make the punch even more appealing.