The history of vegetable preservation technology by salting and fermentation in Korea was reviewed from the Three Nations Era to the end of Chosun Kingdom, and the development of present day's Kimchi processing technology was traced back by using the classic books as well as recent review papers published in Korea. Although the written record on salting and fermentation of vegetables first appears in a 12th century literature (Dongkukisangkukjib, Gyu-Bo Lee 1168~1241), the use of salted/fermented vegetables could be dated back to the Three Nations Era (B.C. 37~A.D. 668) and even earlier period. The present type of Kimchi was gradually evolved after the introduction of red pepper into Korea in the 17th century. The descriptions on Kimchi fermention appeared in the literatures written in the period of 16th~19th centuries in Korea, Suunjapbang (1500~), Domundaijak (1611), Sasichanyocho (1656), Eumsikdimibang (1670), Chubangmun (1600~), Saekgyung (1676), Yorok (1600~), Sanlimkyungje (1715), Cheungbosanlimkyungje (1766), Kyuhapchongsoe (1800~), Imwonsipyukji (1827), Dongkuksesiki (1849) and Buinpylji (1855~) were reviewed.

우리나라 김치 종류에 대한 문헌적 고찰들을 종합하고 지난 200년 사이에 일어난 김치제조기술의 변화를 조사하였다. 또한 최근의 과학적 방법에 의한 김치 연구결과 중에서 김치의 품질에 영향을 미치는 요소들, 특히 맛, 영양, 안전성, 저장성에 관한 재검토를 시도하였다.