South Korean Genmaicha

Origin of ingredients

Seogwang-ri on Jeju Island, South Korea

Terroir

Suh Sung-whan is the founder of Seogwang. In 1979, he transformed the wasteland near Dosun on Jeju Island into tea gardens producing green tea.

The gardens are located southwest of Mount Halla, an extinct volcano and South Korea's highest mountain, rising to 1,947 meters. Jeju Island is South Korea's largest island. The topography is extremely varied, marked by hills, low plateaus and unique rock formations.

The island enjoys a humid subtropical climate, characterized by hot, humid summers and mild winters. The rainy season runs from June to September, and there is also a period from April to May when mist falls over the Jeju foothills.

The region's volcanic soils are rich in minerals and magnesium. Numerous underground springs and streams are rain-fed.

The region's subtropical forests are home to a variety of endemic plants such as Camellia japonica and various fern species. The mixed coniferous and deciduous forests are home to a diverse fauna, including birds such as the Jeju pheasant and mammals such as the sika deer and Asian fox. Around the island you'll find notable marine biodiversity, with coral reefs, seaweed supporting numerous tropical fish and invertebrates.