"Harvesting the First Tea Leaves from Jirisan Begins"... Hadong Wild Tea Spreads the Fragrance of Spring Nationwide

Hadong Wild Tea Culture Festival to Be Held May 1–5

Integrating Production, Experience, and Tourism

Peak Harvest Season for Premium Green Teas 'Ujeon' and 'Sejak'

Maintaining Traditional Roasting Methods

Hadong County in South Gyeongsang Province has begun harvesting wild tea leaves that grow naturally along the slopes of Jirisan Mountain, marking the official start of the spring harvest season. The county plans to boost the tea industry by linking festivals and hands-on experience events to coincide with the harvest period.

Hadong wild tea is characterized by tea leaves grown in their natural state, without reliance on pesticides or artificial cultivation, and are handpicked and roasted using traditional methods.

[Photo by Hadong County] First flush tea leaf harvesting site photo

In particular, the first spring harvests known as 'Ujeon' and 'Sejak' are considered the highest-quality green teas, renowned for their delicate aroma and rich, savory flavor.

The Hadong Wild Tea Culture Festival will also take place from May 1 to May 5, aligning with the tea harvest season. The festival will offer a variety of programs, including traditional roasted tea making, tea ceremony demonstrations, tea field tours, and tasting events, allowing visitors to experience the fragrance and culture of tea with all their senses.

Green tea is known to be rich in catechins, vitamin C, and amino acids, which provide antioxidant effects, boost immunity, and help relieve fatigue. In particular, theanine is highlighted for its positive effects on mental relaxation and concentration, making green tea a popular healing beverage for modern people.

Recently, the matcha industry—which uses finely ground green tea—has also been on the rise. Matcha is widely used not only for drinking but also in confectionery, beverages, and desserts, and demand in overseas markets continues to grow steadily.

Based on this trend, Hadong's overseas expansion—centered on the Hadong Tea & Bio Industry Promotion Institute—has been active. Hadong matcha is exported to countries including the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, and Spain, expanding its presence in the premium tea market.

Additionally, the Byeolcheonji Hadong Tea Culture Center, established in Gwangalli, Busan, is promoting Hadong tea culture to urban residents and working to broaden its consumer base. Visitors to the center can experience the history, etiquette, and modern culture of tea.

Going forward, the county aims to enhance the global competitiveness of the Hadong tea industry by diversifying export destinations, developing processed food products, and strengthening brand marketing.

[Photo by Hadong County] Tea Leaf Harvest Photo

A county official stated, "The spring wild tea harvest is the starting point and the most crucial time for the Hadong tea industry," adding, "Through the festival, we will further develop the tea culture industry, integrating production, hands-on experiences, and tourism."

Meanwhile, Hadong County plans to continue strengthening its status as Korea’s leading tea-producing region by upgrading the quality of traditional tea, developing a variety of products, and expanding cultural content.

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