Traditional Sweets & Teas: Moments of Calm
In Korean culture, dessert is not rushed. It’s a gentle close to the meal — a return to quiet, balance, and appreciation. From delicate confections made of rice and honey to herbal teas brewed with purpose, Korean traditional sweets and teas reflect a way of life where food nourishes both body and mind.
In this ninth episode of our food series, we explore the art and meaning behind Korea’s calming desserts and tea rituals — where sweetness meets simplicity and every sip is a moment of presence.
1. Hangwa: The Traditional Korean Confection
Hangwa (한과) refers to a variety of traditional Korean sweets typically made from glutinous rice flour, honey, jujube, sesame, and chestnut. These are often served on special occasions like weddings, ancestral rites, and New Year celebrations.
Popular types include:
- Yakgwa (약과): Deep-fried honey cookies with a soft, chewy texture
- Dasik (다식): Bite-sized pressed sweets made from powdered grains and tea powders
- Gangjeong (강정): Crispy puffed rice snacks bound with syrup
Hangwa isn’t just a snack — it’s a symbol of respect, beauty, and celebration.
2. Korean Teas: Healing in a Cup
Unlike Western teas made from tea leaves, Korean teas (cha) are often brewed from fruits, roots, flowers, and grains. They are as much about wellness as they are about flavor.
Notable traditional teas include:
- Omija-cha (오미자차): Made from “five-flavor berries,” balancing sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and spicy
- Yuja-cha (유자차): A fragrant citrus marmalade tea, soothing for sore throats
- Ssanghwa-cha (쌍화차): A medicinal herbal blend often enjoyed warm in winter
These teas are served with intention — slowly brewed, carefully poured, and often paired with hangwa or fruits.
3. When and How They're Enjoyed
In the past, traditional sweets and teas were reserved for ceremonial and seasonal occasions. Today, they are enjoyed more widely, especially in hanok-style tea houses across cities like Seoul and Jeonju.
Teatime becomes a cultural experience — accompanied by calm surroundings, traditional music, and mindful conversation.
4. A Philosophy of Balance
Traditional Korean desserts are not overly sweet. They are crafted to balance energy, support digestion, and leave you feeling refreshed rather than full. This gentle approach mirrors the principles of Korean medicine and Seon (Zen) philosophy.
Even in sweetness, the Korean table seeks harmony.
Lasting Impressions
To enjoy Korean sweets and tea is to embrace a quieter pace — a moment to reconnect with your senses, your body, and the centuries of tradition that shaped this elegant simplicity.
In the final episode: We explore how Korean food evolves on the global stage — from fusion trends to fine dining — and what the future of K-food holds.
