백설기 - Baekseolgi (steamed rice cake from Korea)

# I present my heart to lovely children.

# Congratulations on every child born.

# I support the children born in conflict zones to live their lives safely.

 

출처: 한국민족문화대백과

 

Hello,

 

A new day has begun. I pray that you have a safe and peaceful day today.

 

The traditional Korean snack I will introduce today is Baeksulgi.

 

Baeksulgi? What is Baeksulgi?

 

Baeksulgi is a type of traditional Korean rice cake. Rice cakes, or "tteok," are cakes made from rice flour.

 

Let me briefly tell you about rice cakes.

 

Although we cannot pinpoint exactly when rice cakes began to be made, evidence such as steamers found in relics from the Bronze Age suggests that rice cakes have been made and consumed since the ancient times of the tribal states.

 

It’s a very long-standing traditional food, isn’t it?

 

Rice cakes are made from rice flour, and the two main types of rice flour are sweet rice (chapssal) and regular rice (mepssal).

 

Mepssal contains 20-25% amylose and 75-80% amylopectin.

 

Chapssal, on the other hand, contains 100% amylopectin.

 

Since mepssal contains amylose, rice cakes made with it have a less chewy texture.

 

In contrast, chapssal is made entirely of amylopectin, so rice cakes made with it are very chewy.

 

I’ll explain more about rice cakes in detail later.

 

Today, we will focus on one type of rice cake, Baeksulgi.

 

Baeksulgi is the most basic type of rice cake, made by steaming rice flour with sugar water and honey.

 

It is a traditional steamed rice cake, recorded as "Baeksulgo" (白雪糕) in the *Gyuhap Chongseo* (閨閤叢書) in 1815, and has been continuously used since then.

 

The name Baeksulgi, meaning "white snow," symbolizes purity and sanctity, and has traditionally been used as a food for important rites such as a child's 21st day, 100th day, or first birthday.

 

It is also used in rituals at temples and for local ceremonies such as mountain spirit and dragon king rites.

 

On the other hand, Baeksulgi is sometimes dried in the sun and ground into fine powder to make baby food.

 

*Baeksulgi* (Korean rice cakes, 2003. 2. 28., Jeong Jae-hong)

 

Earlier, I briefly mentioned the 21st day, 100th day, and first birthday, which are important rites of passage in Korea (rites that mark significant milestones in a person's life, from birth to death).

 

The 21st day is called *samchilil* (삼칠일), which marks the 21st day after a baby is born.

 

For a mother, it's the 21st day after childbirth.

 

This period, also known as "Seire," involves putting up a protective string (called "geumjul") around the house to prevent evil spirits from entering, and especially people who have visited unclean places are not allowed to enter. (This is also a time for the mother to recover.)

 

Typically, the 7th day after birth is called *choire*, the 14th day is called *dooire*, and the 21st day is called *seire*, with a small ceremony to mark each.

 

During *seire*, the mother offers rice and seaweed soup to the deity, the *samshin*, who watches over the mother and baby. After this, the protective string is removed, and people are allowed to visit the family. Depending on the family's circumstances, they may prepare foods like rice cakes or Baeksulgi and invite relatives and guests.

 

*Samchilil* (삼칠일) (Korean Encyclopedia of Culture, Academy of Korean Studies)

 

The 100th day is a celebration of a child’s 100th day of life.

 

The number 100 symbolizes completeness, perfection, and maturity. The celebration marks the child’s successful passage through this critical stage and is a way to celebrate and bless them.

 

Baeksulgi is often served on this occasion, and it carries the meaning "May the child grow up pure and bright."

 

The first birthday is celebrated exactly one year after a child’s birth.

 

This marks the child’s survival and health, and people celebrate by dressing the child in new clothes and sharing food with others.

 

The Baeksulgi served at this time symbolizes sanctity and purity.

 

Today, medical advances have reduced infant mortality rates significantly, but in the past, the survival rate for babies was much lower.

 

That’s why, in Korea, these rites were performed to wish for the health and safety of newborns.

 

May all babies born be loved.

 

May all babies born be respected.

 

May all babies born never go hungry.

 

May all babies born be healthy.

 

May all babies born safely pass their 21st day, 100th day, and 365th day.

 

I always pray for you and support you.

 

I’m sharing a photo of Baeksulgi with you.

 

I wish you a year filled with happiness and joy!

 

#2025 challenge say "안녕하세요" 

#stop the war

#save children

#life is the most precious value of all

#life is precious to everyone

#freedom for all people 

#peace

 

#Ukraine-Russia War

#Israel-Hamas War

#Afghanistan Freedom

#Myanmar Military Dictatorship

#Kenya Youth Liberation

#And the end of many other conflicts.