This is good news for them in outer space! they have more choices to eat=)).. It is surprise me also that South Korea really care about their culture*especially food . They really want to have their foods being known =)).. *when will Indonesian foods going outer space?
These types of Korean cuisine were approved fit for space food by the Russia’s Institute of Biomedical Problems (IBMP) after passing through a set of rigorous feasibility tests.
Let me introduce some of the items.
<Newly approved Korean space food, photo courtesy of KFRI>
First of all, there is “stir-fried kimchi.” It is kimchi, but with the characteristic pungent smell much reduced and the intense taste significantly toned down, so that anybody could enjoy its pleasantly sweet and spicy taste coupled with steamed rice.
Next is “gochujang (chili pepper paste)” heat-sterilized to meet the anti-bacterial standard of space food. For long-term preservation, it is thoroughly frozen, made into powder, and then is placed in double vacuum packaging that effectively shields it from air, light and humidity. In addition, to suit foreigners’ milder palate, some of the spicy and salty flavors of the original gochujang have been adjusted with enhanced sweetness by, for example, adding tomato sauce.
<Gochujang (Flickr.com)>
As for “red ginseng,” six-year-old ginseng is extracted and pulverized into fine powder, which then you drink as tea. It will strengthen the astronauts’ immune system. And don’t worry, it wouldn’t taste as bitter as you imagine! A certain amount of customization is done here as well. A bit of seasoning is added to reduce the bitter flavor.
There is another drink item, “green tea.” Organically grown in the Bosung region of Jeollanam-do Province, the very highest quality green tea leaves are hand-picked and processed using the most advanced hygienic facilities. Green tea is said to have many health benefits for it is abundant in polyphenols which act as antioxidants.
<Bibimbap (Flickr.com)>
In addition to the above items, other Korean cuisine such as bulgogi (Korean marinated beef), japchae (glass noodles), bibimbap (vegetables mixed with rice) pumpkin porridge, sikhye (rice punch), and Korean curry have also joined the list of space food.
Russian experts commented, “Although some of the astronauts are yet to get accustomed to the spiciness of such food as gochujang and stir-fried kimchi, those stimulating flavors will help boost their appetite, which is highly critical in a long space journey.”
So far there are about 400 kinds of space food in the world, 200 from the United States, 130 from Russia and another 70 kinds from countries like China, Japan and Europe. With Korean items taking up only 20 of the list, there is still so much room for further research and development. Efforts will be continued!
Ahh, I can only imagine what these foods must taste like in the vast, vast universe in a spaceship. Must be extraordinary!
