Boseong-gun 'Millennium Fragrance' Fresh Tea Harvest in Full Swing

Published 11 Apr.2023 10:52(KST)

Gogu 맞아 1600-Year-Old Boseong Tea Officially Released

Boseong-gun, Jeollanam-do announced that Boseong Dajeon Village and others have begun harvesting the first tea leaves in celebration of the Gogu solar term.

Tea harvested before Gogu is called Ujeoncha (雨前茶), considered the highest quality among first teas. Made from tender tea leaves, it boasts a subtle and mild flavor that is exquisite.

[Photo by Boseong-gun]

As of last year, Boseong-gun has a tea cultivation area of 755 hectares, accounting for 28% of the total 2,704 hectares, making it the largest tea production region in South Korea.

It produces about 800 tons annually of wild and organic tea, generating an income of 30 billion KRW (based on 2022).

Additionally, Boseong green tea is registered as Agricultural Product Geographical Indication No. 1 and is recognized for the excellence of its traditional terraced tea farming system, designated as National Important Agricultural Heritage No. 11.

The terraced tea fields of Boseong-gun have been selected by CNN in the United States as one of the ‘31 Most Amazing Landscapes in the World,’ making it a beloved travel destination for its outstanding natural scenery.

The large-scale organic tea fields established around Boseong-eup and Hoecheon-myeon benefit from the warm sea breeze blowing from Deukryang Bay and the cool mountain air at an altitude of 460 meters, where morning fog lingers for a long time.

The environmental characteristics of frequent fog and natural shading create a large temperature difference between day and night, providing ideal conditions for tea plants to grow.

The steep contour terraced tea fields connecting valleys ensure good drainage and ventilation, making it easy to manage the tea fields organically.

Boseong tea is nurtured by nature’s sea breeze, fog, and valley water, and is handcrafted by tea farming artisans who have passed down their skills for two to three generations.

In particular, since 2009, Boseong has continuously supported international organic certifications (EU, USDA, JAS, etc.) for 15 consecutive years and introduced a county quality certification system. Through thorough quality control such as farm production history and residual pesticide inspections, it produces safe tea that protects health.

The records of Boseong tea date back to 369 AD, the 24th year of King Geunchogo of Baekje, when the Biriguk of Mahan was integrated into Baekje’s Bokhol-gun and tea was used as a specialty product, as documented in the history of Boseong-gun. Records from the Goryeo Dynasty mention tea production and tribute to the royal court in the Sajeo (Autumn Peace, Pogok), preserved in the Sinjeung Dongguk Yeoji Seungnam and Sejong Sillok Jiriji.

Boseong-gun is a place where native tea has grown and tea-making rituals have been practiced for over 1,600 years, centered in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula.

At that time, Boseong tea was a precious beverage and cultural item used in national events, as gifts, and for medicinal purposes, mainly among the royal court, aristocrats, and Buddhist culture.

Meanwhile, Boseong-gun will hold the ‘2023 Boseong World Tea Expo’ from April 29 to May 7 under the theme ‘Embracing the World of Millennium Boseong Tea.’ The event aims to promote the value and uniqueness of Boseong tea, which has continued for over 1,600 years, to the world.

Boseong = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Park Cheon-seok hss79@asiae.co.kr