Product Dossier · No. FD-01

Organic Sikhye Korean Rice Drink

Sikhye is one of Korea's oldest traditional beverages — a naturally sweet fermented rice drink made by steeping cooked rice in malt water, which converts starches to natural sugars without any added sweetener. This organic version brings that centuries-old preparation to modern clean-label packaging, positioned for health food retail and Asian cuisine channels internationally. Designed and manufactured in Korea, sourced through DEMORE.

Organic

Certified

Added sugar

1,000+

Years heritage

Korean

Manufacture

01 · Overview

Over a thousand years of Korean heritage. In organic, clean-label packaging.

Sikhye (식혜) is a Korean traditional sweet rice punch that has been prepared and consumed for over a thousand years. The preparation is a natural enzymatic process: cooked rice is steeped in malt water (barley malt extract), which contains enzymes that convert the rice starches into maltose — a natural sugar. The resulting beverage is gently sweet with a light, clean flavour that is distinctively different from fruit juices or carbonated sweet drinks.

The organic version substitutes organically certified rice and malt — clean-label ingredients that meet the requirements of health food retail, organic grocery, and premium wellness channels. No added sugar means the sweetness is entirely from the enzymatic conversion of the rice's own starch.

Sikhye is traditionally served chilled and is one of Korea's most recognised national beverages. Korean Wave cultural interest has made Korean food products increasingly accessible to international buyers.

Organic Sikhye — Korean traditional rice punch, modern format

02 · Heritage

Korea's traditional rice punch. The natural fermentation story.

Sikhye tradition — natural enzymatic sweetness from rice and malt

Sikhye's preparation is a controlled natural process: barley malt is steeped in hot water to extract the enzymes (amylases), then cooked rice is added at a temperature range that keeps the enzymes active while the rice is being converted. After several hours, the majority of the rice starch is converted to maltose. The beverage is then boiled briefly to deactivate the enzymes and stop conversion, then chilled.

The result is a beverage sweetened entirely by what was already in the rice — a process that predates refined sugar and represents Korea's indigenous approach to creating a sweet drink. For modern consumers looking for clean-label, low-added-sugar beverages with genuine heritage, sikhye carries a credential that synthetic alternatives cannot replicate.

The floating rice grains visible in traditional sikhye — and in this product — are a sign of authenticity in the traditional format.

03 · Retail Channels

Three natural distribution channels for organic sikhye.

Channel 01

Asian food retail

Asian grocery supermarkets and specialty food retailers where Korean food products are the primary draw. Sikhye is a known product for Korean diaspora consumers and a discovery product for non-Korean shoppers exploring the category.

Channel 02

Health food retail

Organic and natural food retailers where clean-label, no-added-sugar beverages with genuine heritage credentials have strong positioning. The organic certification is the key for this channel.

Channel 03

K-culture retail

Korean Wave cultural interest has created an international market for authentic Korean food experiences. Sikhye is one of the few traditional Korean beverages with a story that translates directly into appeal for non-Korean consumers.

04 · FAQ

Buyer questions, answered.

What organic certification does the product carry?

[확인 필요] — organic certification body and scope are confirmed in the product documentation. Contact DEMORE to request the certification details.

What is the shelf life and packaging format?

[확인 필요] — shelf life, packaging size, and format options (can, bottle, carton) are in the product specification. Contact DEMORE.

Is the product suitable for halal and vegan consumers?

[확인 필요] — halal and vegan status are confirmed on inquiry. Contact DEMORE with your specific certification requirements.

What is the nutritional profile?

[확인 필요] — the full nutritional data sheet is available through DEMORE on request.

How do I request samples?

Contact DEMORE at [email protected] with your target market and distribution channel. DEMORE typically replies within one business day.