Kimchi is made of(from) cabbage?

[keannu]

I've learned that "made of" is for physical change with the original material's form still recognizable while "made from" is for chemical change with the original material's form still unrecognizable. But sometimes examples like the following are vague.
Is the distinction strict? I think Kimchi(Korean food) may be said to be "made of cabbage" if there is no condiments or ingredients added, but it has many condiments and ingredients added, so it could be said to "be made from cabbage", but I'm not sure.

gz92
ex)Kimchi is made of(from) cabbage

 

[SoothingDave]

I would say "made from."

 

[Tdol]

I would use from too- it's pickled, has many ingredients and is barely recognisable as cabbage. (I don't mean that as a criticism of the product)

 

[bhaisahab]

I agree with Tdol and SoothingDave.

 

[keannu]

Thanks a lot! So do you all agree "made of" is for "physical change" and "made from" for "chemical change"?

 

[5jj]

Thanks a lot! So do you all agree "made of" is for "physical change" and "made from" for "chemical change"?

As a general guide, yes, but it's not an absolute rule. I have just made a desk from/out of various bits of scrap wood I had been hoarding.