Five Korean Foods in Danger of Extinction Join Speciality Catalog

NAMYANGJU, South Korea, Sept. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Five traditional Korean foods have been listed in the Ark of Taste, an international catalog of heritage foods that are in danger of extinction, the Korean slow food exhibition organizer said Friday.

Korean foods-Ark of Taste

It is the first time that Korean foods have been registered in the international slow food catalog. It was launched in 1996 as part of the international slow food movement that began in Turin, Italy.

The selected foods include seasoned beans from the southern resort island of Jeju, dwarf wheat from the southeastern city of Jinju, wild duck from South Chungcheong Province, and Hanson Lily and beef from cows raised on medicinal herbs from the eastern island of Ulleung.

The Namyangju International Slow Food Conference Committee said it submitted the list of five products to the Ark commission to draw attention to the risk of their extinctions and encourage people to protect them.

The Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity listed them in the Ark list on Aug. 30.

The Ark of Taste project features small-scale quality products that belong to the cultures and traditions around the world.

The listed foods must have distinctive flavors, connection to a specific area and identity of local traditions. They must be produced in limited quantities that are at risk of extinction, the foundation’s website said.

Currently, 1,211 kinds of heritage foods, including fruits, vegetables, animals and cheeses, are registered on the list, according to the foundation.

Source: 2013 Namyangju International Slow Food Conference Committee