The purpose of this study was to investigate the chemical contents (sugar, nitrogen, and amino acids) and sensory characteristics of traditional soy sauce according to three different methods. The samples were taken from four different periods (0, 20, 40, and 60 days after fermentation). Total sugar contents increased in all groups according to ripening period, and Gyupjang (G) showed the highest sugar content among the groups. Total nitrogen and amino acid contents of all groups increased after 60 days of ripening, and Gyupjang (G) and Gyupjang mixed with salt water (SG) had higher total nitrogen content compared to Chungjang (S) at the same period. The results from the sensory evaluation show that preferable sensory characteristics, such as color preferences, sweetness, umami taste, and overall preference, were significantly higher in Gyupjang (G) and Gyupjang mixed with salt water (SG) than in Chungjang (S). Preferable sensory characteristics had significantly high positive correlation with most amino acids, total nitrogen, and sugar contents, except for glutamine. Based on the significant difference in preferable sensory characteristics between Gyupjang mixed with salt water (SG) and Chungjang (S), Gyupjang mixed with salt water (SG) can be used to improve sensory characteristics. This research implies that adding salt water during the manufacturing Gyupjang process is advisable to yield high quality soy sauce.

The purpose of this research was to appraise physicochemical properties by utilizing different Mit-sool, Juk, Seolgi-tteok, and Godubap, to produce traditional liquor. In all experimental plots, pH and amino acidity tended to increase with duration of fermentation. Titratable acidity displayed a very high number on the second day but then tended to decrease as fermentation progressed. Sugar contents were highest on the fourth day and tended to decrease with time. Alcohol content increased sharply at the initial stage of fermentation and increased gradually. On the 15th day, traditional liquor made with Godubap recorded the highest alcohol content. Common free sugar components were glucose and sorbitol. Common free organic acid components were lactic, succinic, citric, tartaric, malic, and acetic acids. Volatile flavor compounds were six alcohols, five esters, three aldehydes, and two ketones. Regarding overall acceptability in the sensory evaluation, traditional liquor using Seolgi-tteok as Mit-sool scored the highest. Overall, even though different types of Mit-sool had different physicochemical properties, there were no significant differences in volatile flavor compounds or sensory evaluation scores.