Korean bramble

Description

Rubus coreanus, known as bokbunja, Korean blackberry, or Korean bramble, is a species of raspberry native to Korea, Japan, and China. It produces edible berries (not true berries in the botanical sense) that are fermented into bokbunja ju, a Korean fruit wine (although the majority of fruit commercially grown for producing this drink are actually Rubus occidentalis, native to North America). One of the biggest exporters of Bokbunja ju or Bokbonjajoo (depending on romanization) is the Bohae Brewery Company. The company launched high-quality traditional black Raspberry wine, Bohae Bokbonjajoo, back in 2004. R. Coronanus fruits are usually harvested between the months of May and July at peak harvest season. And can only be cultivated in a few areas in Korea, when compared to Rubus occidentalis, which can be cultivated widely across the country. Rubus coreanus has been used for centuries as traditional alternative medicine, as well as regular food, depending on its ripeness. Various studies have demonstrated that the ripe fruits of R. coreanus significantly reduce the risk of many diseases, including asthma, allergies, and obesity and are effective in reducing inflammation and oxidation. They also exhibit antioxidative, antipyretic, anticancer, and anti-high cholesterol properties proving highly beneficial to human health.