JUNGJAK is picked around the 20th – 30th May each year. It is the third flush of the year. The slim spiral leaves are a dark imperial green which become like velvet when steeped.
This tea is known as one of the top 3 Korean Green Teas. The type of tea is known as ’Sparrow’s tongue’ for its rarity and appearance.
We source this tea from South West Korea, in South Gyeongsang Province. It is grown on an Organically certified tea farm. It has US and EU Organic status. The tea farm is devoted to organic tea husbandry and classical methods of Korean tea farming and production.
Only small quantities are produced each year, it is very labour intensive.
This tea may be enjoyed on many different levels. We would recommend up to three steepings. It is highly evocative with an invigorating taste. It is malty yet verdant and vibrant with a deeply refreshing mellow aroma.
It is one of our finest teas.
Suggested steeping instructions:
Leaf Quantity: 2-3 g/cup
Water Temp: 160°
Steep Time: 3 min.
A short note on Korean Green Tea
According to when it is picked, Korean Green Tea is divided into 3 classifications: Woojeon, Sejak and Jungjak. In Korea, as in China, the year is based on the phases of the moon in the lunisolar calendar. Hence there are clearly defined periods for the different tea harvests.
First grade “Woojeon” is picked before “Gogu” on the 20th April. The next prominent date is “Ipha” on May 5th-6th. Tea picked before “Ipha” falls into the “Sejak” category. The third flush is known as “Jungjak” and is picked before “Soman”.