Start the Year Off with the Perfect Bae
You might be thinking that this is an unripe apple trying to be exotic. Though, there’s more to this fruit than meets the eye. Let me introduce you to the Bae (배), which is also known by a variety of names like the Asian Pear or Korean Pear. It’s quite sweet, a tad bit sour, and over all delicious!
There are many health benefits that come with this pear. If you’re looking to lose weight, bae fruits are relatively low in calories but high in fiber, which helps you feel full. It’s also full of Vitamin C, which reduces the chances of you getting chronic diseases, and are a great way to prevent diabetes. This pear can be eaten alone as a snack or added to salads, though there are more exciting ways to consume this super fruit.
First up is the classic baesuk (배숙)! Bae means "pear," and suk means "cooked." As the name suggests, it’s quite simple. All you need is a bae, ginger, honey, and jujubes if you’re feeling extra bold. The recipe makes a great dessert and is good for colds as well! To try it out, Maangchi has got you covered with her amazing recipe.
If you aren’t convinced about this spectacular fruit, maybe the picture below will help below will push you to explore and look for the perfect bae at your local Asian market. You never know it could be a great pear.
The next recipe is more complex and requires a wider range of ingredients. Baek-kimchi (백김치), also known as white kimchi, is quite sweet. This type of kimchi has actually been around for quite some time. The spicy version of kimchi we all know wasn’t popularized until the 19th century. Baek kimchi however, does require some baes. If you’re up for the challenge, Maangchi’s also has a video on her website! You can always count on her for any recipe or food idea you would like to try.
Baes are a versatile fruit that can be made into almost anything! One can easily learn how to cook with the special fruit and even learn how to cut it like a Korean would. If you want to learn there’s a tutorial just for that:
Get a bae and enjoy your time! You might make it Valentine’s Day if you keep them in the fridge. Enough word play for today…
What’s your favorite thing to do with your bae?
Tell us in the comments below!
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