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Making maesil-cheong (plum syrup) can be challenging due to the delicate balance of sugar required to prevent mold without causing health concerns like diabetes.

This blog post provides a comprehensive guide to overcoming these challenges by focusing on essential steps such as thorough cleaning, detoxifying the plums, and using unrefined sugar.

Additionally, we introduce the use of perilla leaves (jaso-yeop) as a natural preservative to enhance the medicinal properties and prevent spoilage. By following these tips, you can create a delicious and healthy maesil-cheong that is free from spoilage worries.

Making Maesil-cheong: Add This Natural Preservative Herb!

Introduction

One of the most significant concerns when making maesil-cheong (plum syrup) is the use of sugar. Using too little sugar might result in mold growth, while using too much can raise concerns about diabetes.

This article aims to provide a method for successfully making maesil-cheong by enhancing its medicinal properties and preventing spoilage with the use of certain herbs that act as natural preservatives.

Reasons for Maesil-cheong Failure and Solutions

Importance of Cleaning Maesil

The first reason for maesil-cheong failure is incomplete cleaning of the maesil (plums). When using maesil, it is crucial to remove the stems and thoroughly clean the surface.

The fine hairs on the surface should be completely removed using a soft cloth or sponge. Additionally, the plums should be thoroughly dried to prevent any residual moisture from affecting the fermentation process.

Method for Removing Maesil Toxicity

The second reason is the potential toxicity of maesil. The pits of maesil contain amygdalin, a compound that can release cyanide during fermentation.

However, research has shown that fermenting maesil for a year can break down these toxic components. Therefore, maesil-cheong made this year should be consumed by February next year.

For those who need to consume maesil-cheong immediately, you can divide the plums into halves; use one part immediately after short fermentation and the other part for long-term fermentation.

Proper Use of Sugar

The third reason is the improper use of sugar. Sugar is essential in maesil-cheong as it draws out the juice from the plums. However, for those concerned about diabetes, unrefined sugar is a better alternative.

Unrefined sugar has a lower glycemic index (GI) of 47 compared to refined sugar’s GI of 109. A good ratio to use is 10 parts maesil to 7 parts unrefined sugar.

Natural Preservative Herb – Perilla Leaf (Jaso-yeop)

To mitigate the shortcomings of maesil-cheong and prevent spoilage, you can use perilla leaves (jaso-yeop) as a natural preservative. Perilla leaves help enhance the digestive enzyme secretion, alleviate stress, and are effective against insomnia and depression.

If perilla leaves are unavailable, you can substitute them with sesame leaves, which also have similar preservative properties.

How to Make Maesil-cheong

When making maesil-cheong, the best container to use is an earthenware jar. However, if you use a sealed container, cover the mouth with a cotton cloth to allow air circulation, ensuring proper fermentation. This method will help the maesil-cheong mature well.

Conclusion

To ensure success when making maesil-cheong, remember these three key points:

Completely remove the fine hairs on the plums and dry them thoroughly.

Remove the pits from the plums or ferment them whole for one year.

Use unrefined sugar instead of refined sugar and add perilla leaves or sesame leaves as a natural preservative.

By following these guidelines, you can make delicious and healthy maesil-cheong without worrying about spoilage.

Embarking on a sugar-free journey is both a challenging and enlightening experience, one that transforms not just your diet but your overall approach to health and well-being.

In this blog, we dive deep into the personal odyssey of cutting sugar out of one’s life, detailing the weekly challenges, withdrawal symptoms, and the remarkable transformations that follow.

From the initial temptation to resist sweets to the profound physical and mental benefits gained, this narrative offers an honest and detailed exploration of what it truly means to live without sugar.

Through this journey, we discover the importance of moderation, the struggles of withdrawal, and the ultimate rewards of improved health, clearer skin, better sleep, and enhanced immunity.

Join us as we navigate the highs and lows of a sugar-free lifestyle, offering insights, tips, and encouragement for anyone looking to make a similar change.

This blog isn’t just a recount of personal experience; it’s a guide to rethinking our relationship with sugar and taking steps towards a healthier, more balanced life.

What happens if you do not eat sugar for 10 weeks?

Introduction

Embarking on a sugar-free journey represents a significant physical and mental challenge, yet it paves the way toward numerous health benefits. This document meticulously details the experience of abstaining from sugar consumption over an extended period.

It outlines the progress made week by week, the challenges encountered, and the ultimate rewards of living without sugar. This journey is not just about resisting the temptation but understanding and experiencing the profound changes that occur within the body and mind.

Week 1: The Temptation Phase

The first week is characterized by a strong desire for sugar. Surrounded by the enticing aromas of cakes and chocolates, the challenge is to resist consuming these sweet treats.

Despite being tempted, one manages to avoid succumbing to these cravings. Although there are no significant physical changes during this initial phase, the mental battle to resist sugar begins, marking the first test of willpower

Week 2: Withdrawal Symptoms Begin

Entering the second week without sugar, withdrawal symptoms start to surface. Headaches become more frequent, signaling the body’s craving for sugar—not for its taste but for the impact it has on the brain’s functioning. This week tests one’s resolve as the absence of sugar begins to physically manifest in uncomfortable ways.

Week 3: Deepening Withdrawal

As the journey continues, the withdrawal symptoms intensify. Energy levels drop noticeably, and the craving for sugar shifts from a desire for its taste to a need for its effects on brain function. This period is challenging, as the body and mind adjust to functioning without the constant highs and lows sugar consumption provides.

Week 4: The Turning Point

By the fourth week, a significant turning point is reached. The peak of withdrawal symptoms is surpassed, and a notable improvement in mental clarity is experienced. The absence of sugar-induced fluctuations begins to yield benefits, such as more stable energy levels and improved focus.

Week 5: Physical Improvements

Physical benefits become apparent. Movements feel lighter and more agile, and an increase in strength is noticed. This phase marks the beginning of the body’s adaptation to a life without artificial sugar, showcasing the positive impact of the dietary change.

Weeks 6-8: Benefits Consolidate

During these weeks, the benefits of a sugar-free diet become increasingly evident. The lack of artificial sugars is hardly missed, thanks to the natural sugars in fruits and dairy that provide sufficient sweetness and nutritional value. This period reinforces the advantages of cutting out processed sugars.

Week 9: Temptation Re-emerges

Despite the progress, the temptation for sugar subtly reappears. The thought of indulging in a slice of cake represents a risk of reverting to old habits, potentially leading to a greater desire for sugar than before. This moment underscores the importance of moderation rather than complete abstinence.

Beyond Week 10: Personal Journey

Four months into the sugar-free journey, remarkable improvements were observed: clearer skin, better sleep patterns, significant weight loss, and enhanced immunity. Transitioning from a high-sugar diet was challenging, marked by unusual cravings and mood swings. However, perseverance led to success.

Additional Insights

Quitting sugar teaches the body to rely on fat instead of sugar for energy. This transition becomes efficient within weeks, as evidenced by a significant decrease in blood triglyceride levels. The dietary change benefits not just weight management but also gut health and mood improvement.

Challenges and Discoveries

Understanding what constitutes sugars and carbohydrates poses an initial challenge. With most diets heavily reliant on these components, completely avoiding them is difficult. However, adopting a low or no-sugar diet offers significant health benefits over other dietary approaches, proving its worth despite the initial hurdles.

Conclusion

The journey of eliminating sugar from the diet involves an adjustment period characterized by withdrawal symptoms and cravings. However, the long-term benefits, such as weight loss, enhanced mental clarity, and overall health improvement, make this challenging endeavor worthwhile.

Embracing a low-sugar lifestyle involves a learning and adaptation process but ultimately leads to a healthier and more balanced life.