Re: Kochujang and doenjang.. do they contain ALCOHOL??

Deonjang is a Korean version of (Japanese) miso, which was originally the dregs of soy sauce fermentation. It’s just soybeans, wheat, salt, and the friendly fermentation bacteria. Kochujang is deonjang with red pepper powder added to it. Alcohol is present in any fermented product, including yogurt and uncooked bread dough, as it’s a chemical by-product of fermentation. Alcohol is in extremely trace amounts–any fermentation creates alcohol, including the Indonesian food tempeh. It is not alcholic per se in an amount which could intoxicate. The same is true of ethyl alcohol used as a preserving agent. Good luck and bon appétit!