MESHIL

Gwangyang, in South Jeolla Province, is recognised for its maesil (Korean green plum) orchards, and the fruit sourced from the area forms the flavour foundation of the MESHIL drink. Production follows a traditional Korean fermentation method in which plums are fermented with brown sugar in clay pots, a technique used in Korean culinary practice for generations. The interaction of fruit, sugar, and the clay pot environment produces a layered, sweet-sour character in the finished drink.

MESHIL entered the international market when The Red & Green Co brought the brand to the UK in 2021, targeting the alcohol-free and wellness-focused consumer segment. The drink sits at the intersection of functional drink and traditional fermented beverage, appealing to sober-curious drinkers who are drawn to AF drinks rooted in non-European fermentation traditions.

The Gwangyang sourcing and clay-pot fermentation method distinguish MESHIL from the majority of AF functional drinks on the market, which typically rely on modern production processes rather than regional craft techniques.