For some people, the name Baesuk or Korean steam pear may not be familiar. But if you are into herbal treatment and home remedy, this steam pear can be a good herbal alternative that can help you with sore throat, cold, or cough. Not only you will feel better, but the proceed pear can improve your health, thanks to some of its healthy elements.
About Baesuk or Korean Steam Pear
Baesuk is basically the traditional herbal drink from Korea that is believed to relieve cough and throat discomfort. Baesuk is taken from two words: bae means pear and suk means cooked.
The recipe that has gone viral on the net is the regular version, where the center should be removed so you can fill it up with honey and peppercorns. Meanwhile, there is the royal cuisine version that is more complicated. You need to peel and cut the pear into pieces. And then you embed peppercorns to the pear before you cook it in a mix of water, ginger liquid, and honey.
In the ancient time where kings still ruled, the royal cuisine was served to the royal families as desserts. The steamed pear itself has been believed to body’s hotness (doesn’t refer to fever) and release the congestion on the chest.
Potent Benefits
Everyone knows that ginger has its own potent health benefits. It has natural anti inflammatory and anti bacterial that can protect you from virus, bacteria, and infection. In the meantime, honey also has its own benefits. It is also packed with antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti inflammatory properties.
When combined together, ginger and honey can be used to treat cough as well as sore throat. Pear alone also has high level of dietary fiber and antioxidants. When you consume pear regularly, it can improve your overall health, including better digestion and cholesterol level. So, you can imagine the overall benefits when you consume steamed pear together with honey and ginger.
How to Make Baesuk
There is no particular type of pear for this recipe. Feel free to use any kind of pear, as long as it’s available and it’s easy to find (or purchase). Besides the pear, you will also need a tablespoon of honey and just enough crushed ginger.
Fixing up this one doesn’t take forever. It only takes around half an hour (around 30 minutes) and it’s perfect for cold or sore throat issue. A recipe is enough for a portion (of one person), especially if you are into herbal or home remedy.
The main steps are:
- Make sure that the pear is clean before you can process anything. Cut it into two parts where you cut just a little on the top, leaving the bottom parts bigger.
- On the bigger pear, create a hole right in the middle.
- Place the crushed ginger into the pear. Close it (with the part that you have cut in the previous step) and then steam it for around 20 minutes. 30 minutes should be the max.
- After you remove the pear from the steam, leave it be for a while, so it won’t be too hot.
- Add in the honey and stir.
- Remove the ginger.
- Serve while warm. It should be warm, not boiling or scorching hot.
Conclusion
As you can see, making this recipe is simple. If you want to try making Baesuk or the Korean steam pear, make sure that all the ingredients are fresh.
