June 17, 2025Jun 17, 2025
KCNA Pyongyang Times

Long-standing practice of using farina

Date: 13/05/2025 | Source: Pyongyang Times | Read original version at source

Among the Korean cultural heritage is the practice of using potato starch.

This practice refers to a way of life of the people in the northern alpine region of the DPRK who have farina as a staple. The starch is obtained by grinding properly washed potatoes and soaking the sediment in clear water several times before drying it.

Potato began to be cultivated in the Musan area of Hamgyong province located in the northern part of Korea in around 1824 and 1825. It found its way from Ryanggang Province in the northern part to Kangwon Province in the southern part by the 1830s-1840s.

To meet the characteristic of the region where cold weather persists, northern highlanders would turn potato into starch favourable for storage to use it conveniently.

Typical foods made of farina include starch noodles, dehydrated starch noodles and starch cake soup.

The locals prepared starch noodles on ordinary days as well as holidays and feast days, and the food was characterized by pungent spices like red pepper and ample garnishings.

In wintertime, people put coils of noodles on snow-covered roofs or hanged them on ropes to freeze-dry them. Such practice is still carried on.

Starch cake soup is often prepared and eaten in Ryanggang Province. To prepare it, bits of dough are plucked with hand into boiling water to be done. They are cooled in cold water before being mixed with salty and hot spices and served on a bowl. A bowl of soup leaves a burning taste in the mouth and the forehead of its eater is dripping sweat. People believe that the food drives the chill out of the body in cold winter.

Besides, pancake and taffy are also made with farina.

More From Pyongyang Times

UNGA adopts resolution in demand of immediate ceasefire in Gaza

UNGA adopts resolution in demand of immediate ceasefire in Gaza

An emergency special session of the United Nations General Assembly held on June 12 adopted a resolution in demand of immediate

June 16, 2025

An emergency special session of the United Nations General Assembly held on June 12 adopted a resolution in demand of immediate

Russian president refers to national military equipment plan

Russian president refers to national military equipment plan

Russian President Vladimir Putin set forth a task of drawing up a new national plan for military equipment in a consultative

June 16, 2025

Russian President Vladimir Putin set forth a task of drawing up a new national plan for military equipment in a consultative

Different kinds of aromatic substances developed

Different kinds of aromatic substances developed

The Pyongyang Essential Oil Factory produces edible, industrial and natural aromatic substances with different kinds of essential

June 16, 2025

The Pyongyang Essential Oil Factory produces edible, industrial and natural aromatic substances with different kinds of essential

Local products win popularity

Local products win popularity

The regional industry cannot play its role properly if it does not rely on the raw materials available in the region. It is

June 16, 2025

The regional industry cannot play its role properly if it does not rely on the raw materials available in the region. It is

Namhung Youth Chemical Complex fulfils plan for manuring year

Namhung Youth Chemical Complex fulfils plan for manuring year

As of June 14, the workers of the Namhung Youth Chemical Complex in the DPRK carried out the fertilizer production plan for the

June 16, 2025

As of June 14, the workers of the Namhung Youth Chemical Complex in the DPRK carried out the fertilizer production plan for the

Subdivisions of seasons and folk customs in June

Subdivisions of seasons and folk customs in June

Among the 24 subdivisions of seasons used by the Korean ancestors are mangjong and haji, the subdivisions of June. Mangjong falls

June 15, 2025

Among the 24 subdivisions of seasons used by the Korean ancestors are mangjong and haji, the subdivisions of June. Mangjong falls

Experiencing horror and thrill

Experiencing horror and thrill

People can have such hair-raising adventures as a flight between sky-scrappers on board a light aircraft, encounter with large

June 15, 2025

People can have such hair-raising adventures as a flight between sky-scrappers on board a light aircraft, encounter with large

New houses built in Rajinpho Farm in South Hwanghae

New houses built in Rajinpho Farm in South Hwanghae

A ceremony of moving into new houses took place for the third time at the Rajinpho Farm in Yonan County of South Hwanghae

June 15, 2025

A ceremony of moving into new houses took place for the third time at the Rajinpho Farm in Yonan County of South Hwanghae

Iran warns that US bases will be put within striking range

Iran warns that US bases will be put within striking range

The Iranian minister of defence and armed forces logistics in a press conference on June 11 clarified the stand of his country not

June 15, 2025

The Iranian minister of defence and armed forces logistics in a press conference on June 11 clarified the stand of his country not

Patented products

Patented products

Enough minerals and microelements needed for the human body cannot be ingested only through foods. Therefore, it has become a

June 15, 2025

Enough minerals and microelements needed for the human body cannot be ingested only through foods. Therefore, it has become a

Starting point of training talents

Starting point of training talents

The present era calls for a larger number of talented scientists and technicians who play a core and leading role in the

June 14, 2025

The present era calls for a larger number of talented scientists and technicians who play a core and leading role in the

Factory effectively uses by-product of corn processing

Factory effectively uses by-product of corn processing

The Pyongyang Cornstarch Factory has recently developed and introduced a new technique of making with cornhusk microcrystalline

June 14, 2025

The Pyongyang Cornstarch Factory has recently developed and introduced a new technique of making with cornhusk microcrystalline

WHO: Mpox spread remains as public health emergency

WHO: Mpox spread remains as public health emergency

The World Health Organization announced on June 9 that the spread of Mpox still remains as a public health emergency. Earlier in

June 14, 2025

The World Health Organization announced on June 9 that the spread of Mpox still remains as a public health emergency. Earlier in

Immigrants’ demo spreads to different American cities

Immigrants’ demo spreads to different American cities

As the demonstration, which started in Los Angeles of the US on June 6 in protest against the current administration’s discriminat

June 14, 2025

As the demonstration, which started in Los Angeles of the US on June 6 in protest against the current administration’s discriminat

To attain higher goal by realizing optimization

To attain higher goal by realizing optimization

The Narae-brand sanitary ware and flowerpots can be seen in monumental structures and dwelling houses rising up in all parts of

June 13, 2025

The Narae-brand sanitary ware and flowerpots can be seen in monumental structures and dwelling houses rising up in all parts of

More Articles