Start of Collection for Gurye Gorosoe Sap

Published 16 Feb.2023 16:54(KST)

Rich in Calcium, Magnesium, Glucose, and Minerals

[Gurye=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yuk Miseok] The collection of Gurye Gorosoe sap, known as the thousand-year mystical medicinal water, has officially begun.

Gurye Gorosoe in Jeollanam-do is a medicinal water with a long history and tradition, and according to historical records, sap collection started during the Three Kingdoms period.

[Photo by Gurye-gun]

The sap is collected from thick Gorosoe trees growing in high-altitude valleys at elevations of 600m to 1000m or more, such as Jirisan and Baegunsan Mountains, resulting in high sugar content and rich minerals.

Especially, the sap collected from Jirisan, where there is a large temperature difference between day and night, is fresh and has a savory taste.

Gurye County produces 540,000 liters annually from 250 farms around Jirisan and Baegunsan, generating an income of about 1.8 billion KRW.

Gorosoe sap, also called Golisoo (骨利水) because it is beneficial for bones, is known to help treat arthritis, neuralgia, rheumatism, gallstones, and urinary diseases, and is also effective for blood sugar control, diabetes, hypertension, fatigue, and hangover relief.

According to a sap component analysis conducted by the Jeollanam-do Health and Environment Research Institute, Gorosoe sap is rich in calcium, magnesium, glucose, and minerals compared to regular drinking water.

It is recommended to drink a large amount of Gorosoe sap in a short time while sweating in an ondol room or a jjimjilbang (Korean sauna).

Consuming it with salty foods such as dried pollack or squid helps to drink a large quantity without getting tired of the taste.

The best tasting period is known to be between Usu (February 19) and Gyeongchip (March 5).

An official from Gurye County stated, “Anyone wishing to collect sap must obtain permission under the ‘Act on the Creation and Management of Forest Resources.’ If caught collecting without permission, they face ‘up to 3 years imprisonment’ or ‘a fine of up to 30 million KRW,’ so special caution is required when collecting.”

For sap collection, permission must be obtained from the head of the local government for communal or private forests, and for national forests, permission must be obtained from the head of the national forest management office in accordance with the ‘Act on the Management and Operation of National Forests.’