A Historical Review on the Oldest Documented Buckwheat Use in Korea

Abstract

‘Hyangyakgugeubbang’ has been known as the oldest literature on buckwheat in Korea written in the time of King Gokong, old Korean dynasty. However, by ‘Genesis of Koguryo dynasty’ copied by Mr. Chang Hwa Park, it has been known that buckwheat has been used in Korea from Koguryo dynasty which was a former era of old Korean dynasty. Unfortunately, the original book of ‘Genesis of Koguryo’ has not been kept and thus historians have not approved the copied book as an official history book. Therefore, the oldest record on buckwheat use in Korea has not been recognized as the oldest book on buckwheat in Korea. So, Hyangyakgugeubbang’ is still officially the oldest book on buckwheat in Korea.