Time now for our “Life & Info” segment...where we focus on information useful for your everyday life whether you are in Korea or somewhere else around the world.<br />Today, we turn our focus on Korean food.<br />Tteokbokki, a sweet and spicy rice cake dish, has been gaining popularity worldwide, …especially in Southeast Asian countries.<br />However,... exporting rice cakes has been difficult due to their one-month-long shelf life.<br />Now, Korean researchers have found a way to extend the shelf life of rice cakes to eight months at room temperature.<br />This is expected to pave the way for more rice cake exports.<br />Park Se-young has more. <br />Korean rice cakes, or tteok, are made using steamed rice flour.<br />The steamed flour is pounded to make rice cakes, which are then used to make the spicy rice cake dish called tteokbokki.<br />The plain white rice cakes can be stored for about a month in cold storage, and tend to go bad within days at room temperature.<br />"Distributing tteok at room temperature is expected to cut distribution costs compared to cold storage …and promote consumption."<br />The Rural Development Administration and Kangwon National University developed the technology to extend the shelf life of rice cakes to up to eight months at room temperature.<br />First, the researchers used dry rice flour instead of steamed rice flour to reduce microbial contamination.<br />Then, organic acids were added to lengthen shelf life.<br />"By adding complex organic acids to the water, we were able to optimize the pH level, concentration and immersion time."<br />Lastly, the rice cakes were sterilized to block contamination during distribution.<br />Most importantly, the method had limited impact on the overall taste and texture of the product.<br />Nearly 16 million U.S. dollars of these plain rice cakes were exported in 2018, …with almost seven million dollars of exports going to Southeast Asia.<br />The researchers expect the rice cakes with extended shelf life to lead to more exports and make rice cake-based dishes like tteokboki more accessible around the world.<br />Park Se-young, Arirang News. <br />
