Health Benefits Drive Soaring Demand for Kimchi in Europe

Kimchi, a traditional fermented Korean side dish made of vegetables with a variety of seasonings, is drawing significant attention in Europe where healthy food choices are gaining popularity.

According to a report released by the Paris branch of the Korea Agro-Fisheries and Food Trade Corp. (aT) on Saturday, a string of European food companies including Loving Foods Ltd. and Eaten Alive Ltd. in Britain, France’s Les Jarres Crues, and Germany’s Completeorganics GmbH have jumped into the kimchi business.

The kimchi produced by European companies is inspired by Korean kimchi but its look and taste are significantly different.

Fermented food maker Loving Foods, for example, makes kimchi by using organic vegetables produced in Britain and the salt from the Celtic Sea.

The main ingredients are cabbage and carrots, and some products also include turmeric and pepper.

Loving Foods also commercialized kimchi in juice form, which can be drunk as a healthy beverage or used for cooking.

Eaten Alive, founded by two British chefs, is selling four different types of kimchi, including spicy kimchi, pure kimchi, cabbage kimchi, and golden kimchi, as well as hot sauces with a kimchi taste.

Golden kimchi, for instance, is made with lemon, turmeric, and ginger instead of hot pepper paste.