Hangwa (한과;韓菓) translates to "Korean confectionery" referring to traditional confections contrasting withyanggwa (양과;洋菓), which identifies "Western confectionery".[4] In the pasthangwa was calledjogwa (조과;造果) which means "artificial fruit" orgwajeongnyu (과정류;果飣類) as meaning "fruit food category".[3][5]
Following the twoBuddhistdynasties,Unified Silla inthe era of two kingdoms (698–926) andGoryeo (936‒1392), the cultivation of crops and consumption of confections increased drastically as theBuddhist diets forbade meat.[6] Confections were offered in Goryeo's national feasts, rites, ceremonies, and banquets, including the two Buddhist festivals, theLotus Lantern Festival and theFestival of the Eight Vows. Prevailing tea ceremonies also required more types of confections.
Concerns regarding the increasingly excessive consumption of confections that have large amounts of oil, grain, and honey have consequently lead to several regulations throughout the course of its history.[6] In 1117,King Sukjong restricted the extravagant usage of deep-fried grain confections. In 1192, deep-fried grain confections were mandated to be replaced with fruits and in 1353, a total ban on deep-fried grain confections was issued.
Restrictions continued in theJoseon (1392‒1897), according toComprehensive Collection of the National Codes that recorded that the use of deep-fried grain confections was restricted solely for rites, weddings, and toasts to longevity.[6] Commoners caught eating them on occasions other than that were subjected to monetary fines or corporal punishment.[6]
Candies – Traditional Korean candies can be eaten as they are, or used as sweetening ingredients in other types ofhangwa.Dang (당;糖; "candy") orDangryu (당류;糖類; "candy category") refers to hard and sweet confection. It can be made of crystallizedsugar, or saccharified starch.Yeot is a traditional sweet in eitherliquid orsolid form, as a syrup,taffy, orcandy. It is made with grains suchrice,glutinous rice,glutinous sorghum,corn,sweet potatoes, by saccharifying them usingbarley malt.
Dasik, literally "tea food", is a bite-size sweet that is normally accompanied by tea. It is made by pressing honied powder into a decorativemold. Typical ingredients includerice flour,pinepollen, blacksesame,chestnut, andsoybean.
Gwapyeon is a jelly-like summer dessert made with a variety of fruits, such as berries, cherries, and apricots. It is made by mixing fruit juice with starch and agar to attain a gelatinous consistency.[10]
Suksil-gwa, literally "cooked fruit", consists of fruit, roots, or seeds cooked and sweetened withhoney. Common ingredients includechestnut,jujube, andginger.Suksil-gwa is similar to—and sometimes classified as—jeonggwa, but has unique characteristics that differentiate it from thejeonggwa category.[11]
Yumil-gwa refers to a deep-fried confection made of wheat flour dough. It may be made of various ingredients such ashoney, cooking oil,cinnamon powder, nuts andcheongju (rice wine).[10] It may be classified asmandu-gwa (dumplings),maejap-gwa (ribbons), oryakgwa (flower) according to the cooking methods.
Otherhangwa varieties include:
Gotgam-mari is a roll made of driedpersimmons andwalnuts. It can be made by rolling a toasted and peeled walnut with a dried, deseeded, and flattened persimmon, then slicing each roll like slicing agimbap.
Traditionally,hangwa was offered duringjesa (ancestral rites),chuseok (harvest festival),geolhonshik (weddings) orhwanggap (sixtieth-birthday) celebrations.[12] Todayhangwa can be purchased online, in markets, coffee shops or at tea houses.[6]
In the 1900s,hangwa began to fall out of favor with the introduction of sugar and western confection.[5] In recent years, it has seen a revitalization and is associated with holiday food. With the rising demand forhangwa, this market has seen increased support from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishery.[13] Today, it is offered as ceremonial food and is often gifted especially duringseollal (Korean New Years). As society has sought healthier alternatives in consumable goods, efforts to produce confections to stimulate wellness began. Healthierhangwa was created by addingginseng,green tea, andlaver.[13]
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