Drink produced by the saccharification of starch and fermentation of the resulting sugar. The starch and saccharification enzymes are often derived from malted cereal grains, most commonly malted barley and malted wheat. Most beer is also flavoured with hops, which add bitterness and act as a natural preservative, though other flavourings such as herbs or fruit may occasionally be included. The preparation of beer is called brewing. Beer is the world's most widely consumed alcoholic drink, and is the third-most popular drink overall, after water and tea. It is said to have been discovered by goddess Ninkasi around 5300 BCE, when
Korean alcoholic drinks A regional, slightly-creamier variant, originally from Gyeonggi-do, is called "dongdongju". Another variety, called "ihwaju" (hangul: ; hanja: ; "pear-blossom wine") is so named because it is brewed from rice with rice malt which ferments during the pear-blossom season. "Ihwaju" is often so thick that it is eaten with a spoon. A similar drink is known as "Gamju"; this name is also used for non-alcoholic sweet drinks, including "Sikhye" (). "Cheongju", or "yakju", is a refined rice wine made from steamed rice which has undergone several fermentation stages. Also known as "myeongyakju" or "beopju", it is distinguished from "takju" by its