Shinsegae Dept. Store to Offer Limited “300-Year Luxury Dried Persimmon” for First Time in 13 Years

Return of Eunpungjunsi from Yecheon, North Gyeongsang

The Emperor of Dried Persimmons, Perfected by Natural Air-Drying

Shinsegae Department Store is unveiling an ultra-premium dried persimmon lineup for the Lunar New Year.

Shinsegae Department Store announced on the 4th that it will sell “Eunpungjunsi,” known as the emperor of dried persimmons, as one of this year’s Lunar New Year gift sets. In line with the wellness trend that emphasizes healthy eating, this product is being reintroduced for the first time in 13 years since 2013. This dried persimmon is a rare item produced only at about 20 farms in Dongsari Village, Eunpung-myeon, Yecheon-gun, North Gyeongsang Province, and when the persimmon trees themselves are transplanted to other regions, both the taste and the shape of the persimmons change.

Shinsegae Department Store Eunpungjunsi gift set. Provided by Shinsegae Department Store.

According to local records of Yecheon-gun, it is said that dried persimmons began to be made about 300 years ago from a naturally occurring persimmon tree in the valley behind Dongsari, and a passage in “Yeo Yu Dang Jeon Seo” by Dasan Jeong Yak-yong confirms that Eunpungjunsi was among the tribute items presented to King Jeongjo of the Joseon Dynasty.

Eunpungjunsi is made by peeling persimmons harvested in autumn and air-drying them naturally on drying racks for about 60 days. The persimmons are put out in the morning and brought back in the evening, and this process of carefully shaping them is repeated 7 to 8 times a day with great care.

The finished Eunpungjunsi contains 40% to 50% moisture, giving it a moist and chewy texture. It has been used as a dessert at Monologue, the restaurant of Chef Shin Hyundo (Kalmacase) who appeared on the cooking competition program “Black & White Chef Season 2,” located in House of Shinsegae Cheongdam.

Shinsegae Department Store has prepared a limited quantity of the finest Eunpungjunsi, selected through strict standards at the production site and its own verification process. The Seoldamgot Eunpungjunsi gift set is available at Shinsegae Department Store Gangnam, Centum City, and House of Shinsegae Cheongdam.

Choi Wonjun, Executive Vice President in charge of Food & Living at Shinsegae Department Store, said, “Eunpungjunsi is a luxury dried persimmon that has everything: more than 300 years of history, rarity, and a flavor perfected by master artisans,” adding, “This Lunar New Year, we hope you will convey your special feelings to your loved ones with these precious dried persimmons that are hard to find on the market.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.