Goheung Yuja, Standing Tall as a Global Health Drink

Published 07 Mar.2024 12:32(KST)

County Governor Gong Young-min's Active Role as a Salesman for Goheung Yuja Exports

Recently, Goheung Yuja has gained popularity as a raw material for premium health drinks due to its high-quality production and processing technology.

Goheung-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Gong Young-min) announced that it is upgrading its representative local specialty, Yuja, to "Premium Yuja" and expanding its market channels not only domestically but also overseas.

[Photo by Goheung-gun]

In particular, led by Governor Gong Young-min of Goheung-gun, an export pioneering team was formed to export Yuja processed products worth 45.34 million USD to countries such as China and the United States. Last year, it achieved an agricultural and marine products export amount of 103 million USD for the first time among county-level units in Jeollanam-do.

On December 12 last year, Minister Jeong Hwang-geun of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs introduced Goheung Yuja beverages at a cabinet meeting attended by ministers from various departments, drawing attention.

This Lunar New Year, Goheung Yuja syrup was included in the holiday gifts sent by President Yoon Suk-yeol to senior figures from various fields and socially disadvantaged groups, further elevating the prestige and status of Goheung Yuja.

Yuja beverages such as Goheung Yuja tea and Goheung Yuja ade captivate consumers with their fresh and healthy taste, gaining popularity not only in famous urban cafes but also in coffee specialty shops at highway rest areas.

Every early November, a Yuja festival themed around Goheung Yuja is held. On that day, visitors enjoy dating in the Yuja orchards and can purchase fresh Yuja fruit directly from the production site at affordable prices, receiving positive responses from tourists.

A Goheung-gun official said, "Yuja is processed and sold in various forms such as tea, extract, beverages, collagen, jam, and leaf tea," adding, "Recently, Seoul Takju produces Makgeolli using Goheung Yuja as a raw material, and the Czech Pilsner company makes beer with Goheung Yuja, showing diverse uses of Goheung Yuja."

Meanwhile, Goheung Yuja, which accounts for 60% of the national production, is registered as Geographical Indication No. 14 due to its advantages of rich juice and aroma thanks to the mild climate, sea breeze blowing all year round, and the highest amount of sunlight in the country. It is known to greatly help prevent colds and recover from fatigue due to its high content of vitamin C and citric acid.