Sikhye Sweet Rice Drink

Sikhye is a traditional Korean sweet rice drink that's both refreshing and nourishing, perfect as a healthy snack. This delightful beverage features fermented sweet rice, offering a unique flavor profile and a touch of sweetness.

Ingredients

• Sweet rice (glutinous rice) - 100 grams
• Water - 1 liter
• Barley malt powder - 30 grams
• Sugar - 50 grams
• Salt - a pinch
• Pine nuts - 10 grams (for garnish)
• Dried jujubes (dates) - 2 pieces (for garnish)

Steps

1. Rinse the sweet rice under cold water until the water runs clear, then soak it in water for at least 2 hours or overnight.
2. Drain the soaked rice and steam it in a bamboo or metal steamer for about 30 minutes until fully cooked and tender.
3. Once cooked, let the rice cool slightly and then mix it with barley malt powder and 500 ml of water in a large bowl.
4. Cover the bowl with a cloth and let it sit at room temperature for about 12-24 hours to ferment. The longer you let it sit, the sweeter and more flavorful it will become.
5. After fermentation, strain the mixture through a fine sieve or cheesecloth into another bowl, pressing gently to extract all the liquid.
6. Add the remaining 500 ml of water, sugar, and a pinch of salt to the strained liquid, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
7. Chill the sikhye in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving.
8. Serve sikhye in glasses, garnished with pine nuts and sliced dried jujubes.

Nutrition

• Calories: 150
• Protein: 2 g
• Carbs: 35 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Total Fat: 1 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
• Water: 0.5 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in fiber, promoting digestive health.
• Provides a natural source of energy from carbohydrates.

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