Korean Green

[Cha Nacho]

I got this tea as a gift over the holidays. I haven't tried it yet because I'm trying to burn through some of my over stocked oolongs! Just wondering if anyone out there has tried it or can comment on it? Thanks!

The label reads: Baeckunsan Jackseol Tea
From: Kwang Yang Korea

[debunix]

I have no experience with this, but will be curious to read the replies. We have easy access to chinese and japanese teas, and I see local brands (but usually bags or cheap bulk stuff) in other asian markets, but I've not heard much about Korean tea. Do they not export much of their local production?

[Chip]

Korean tea is a bit hard to comprehend, requires some patience ... and don't expect your first one to be stellar.

Often the canister colors or labels offer a hint about what is inside. But no real help with this one. Sorry, I am no help here. Let us know what is inside!!!

I have had some pretty good green from Hankook, and they also sell Korean teaware. There are also Korean markets in some metro areas that WILL have Korean teas, but can be very hit or miss just like Chinese market teas.

[Victoria]

Here's a little link for more info on Jackseol Tea.

http://new.gwangyang.go.kr/include/eng/ ... age_num=20

[Cha Nacho]

Thank you all for the replies. The link from Victoria did glean a little info on this tea, at least it gave some brewing info in English which was helpful. I especially liked that if brewed correctly "you must feel five tastes of the tea"!

I also found out the style of the tea is called Jung Jak, originally what I thought the companies name was. It means sparrows tongue and reflects the shape of the leaves.

I have since tried the tea several times and decided its a winner. The taste most reminds me of Japanese tea, probably closest to sencha. It is steamed, not fried and has a nice vegetal taste, a bit of astringency, and a robust flavour. I would recommend it if you get the chance. Not sure if I got all "five" of the tastes but it definitely changed from the first to second brew and there was some sweetness in there as well. For those well acquainted with Japanese green tea (which I am not) you could probably describe it or compare it more easily. Anyway IMO it tastes pretty good!

[debunix]

Cool!

LA has a huge Koreatown and one of these days I'm going to just spend a day checking out the shops, eating barbecue and kimchee, and looking for tea and teawares. I'll keep my eyes open for that quite distinctive packaging.

[I, Tea Dork]

Korean teas are incredibly under-rated. I absolutely love them.

The Woo Jeon from the tea stall in Borough Market in London is, I swear, one of the best green teas I have drunk in all my born days.

It's ridiculous expensive, but incredible. The second steeping is like a different tea: gorgeously sweet and really 'true' (as in 'straight'.)

Actually, now I think of it, I've had some really amazing Korean teas. If you pay for the good stuff, like 'Sparrow's Tongue', which I know you can get in London, seriously... you'll never look back. As distinctive as Chinese is to Japanese, sort of. Really complex and grassy / composty. Gorgeous.

Hard to find, not the easiest to brew, but completely brilliant.

[Cha Nacho]

Hey I Tea...

Thanks for your input, I believe the Junk Jak is 'Sparrows tongue'. However I'm not sure of the grade. It is quite similar to what you describe though, the first and second steeps are very different. The first is very vegetal, where as the second is, as you say more sweet and straight. I've been really enjoying it, but supplies are running low. Anyway I look forward to trying more Korean green tea in the future. Let me know if you have anymore recomendations.

Cheers!

[I, Tea Dork]

Oh, cool. (Ah, yes, you did say that Jakseol was Sparrow's Tongue, sorry. Should have read more closely.)

As for grades, I think I'm right in saying that you only get to call it that if you pick it super early. I thiiink. It's sort of equivalent to the appellation 'gyokoro' in that it sort of implies a standard in leaf and preparation. I think. That's what I've always thought, but it's perfectly possible I just made this up!

The other Korean teas I've tried are Nokcha, which is a pretty special daily green tea (I drank this all day for months once) and Woo Jeon, which is picked in April and tastes like a vegetable laser. Incredibly delicate and complex.

You can get these at places like Teasmith, Postcard Teas and East Teas in London, who seem to share the same importer. Very special teas. East Teas do mail order, too.

[I, Tea Dork]

Oh, and another thing...

According to East Teas website, Sparrow's Tongue likes the super low temperatures (50º C),and super high temperatures (90º C, for about 30 seconds.)

I'm going to try the heat now!