Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jkrishnamurtidotorg]

I am having difficulty finding quality, bulk, loose leaf green tea in Korea. I haven't been here too long so perhaps I just don't know where to look. The challenge has been surprising, but this feeling is most likely based on my own ignorant pre-arrival assumption that since the Camellia Sinensis originates in East Asia (namely China), there would be a moderate abundance and relative ease of purchase. I've been drinking coffee as a caffeine boost, but would strongly prefer green tea as a source, as I did before I came here.

I'm looking for straight-up green tea, the loose bagless stuff, without added rice and all that.

I was intending to visit the Boseong Green Tea Fields at some point, preferably later in the year. However, if I can't find nokcha anytime soon without paying for some inflated international shipping charges, I'd consider bumping my visit to Boseong early.

1) Does anyone have good advice on finding green tea/nokcha in Korea? *feel free to help anyone who might have a similar problem now or in the future by commenting, but for reference I am not in Seoul

2) Does anyone have experience visiting the Boseong Green Tea Fields? Did they allow purchases of bulk leaves or something like that?

Thanks to all who consider helping.

Edit: I suppose it also could be my expectations. I'm used to being able to find Chinese green tea in their grocery stores, and usually I can find 250g to 500g for between 5 and 10$. What I've found so far on the internet is that Korean green tea can be sold in loose 40, 80, or 100g stylish canisters for around 20 to 30$.

[Jonephant]

For quality Korean green tea you have to pay through the neck for it, end of. Reason being that Korea doesn't produce anywhere near the quantities of tea that China does. Good green tea is rare and expect to pay upwards of 40,000 for 100g.

My advice to you would be to buy Chinese tea online from an eBay seller located in China or Hongkong. Some offer free delivery as long as you don't mind waiting 20 days to receive it. In my experience the quality is usually very good if you remember you get what you pay for. eg. 10$ for 500g = chemical sprayed, very bad, broken, 3rd grade green tea.

[Lazio]

Everything that is grown in Korea is ridiculously priced compared to most other countries. Every fruit and vegetable is expensive and green tea is no exception. Thus as Jonephant mentioned, the amount Korea produces is extremely limited.

There are a couple of varieties of loose leaf Boseong green tea by quality, the time they pick the leaves etc.
From the bottom to top with approximate price for a 100g package.
1., 대작 15,000Krw
2., 중작 20,000Krw
3., 세작 35,000Krw
4., 곡우 50,000Krw
5., 우전 90,000Krw

They are all organic. I would suggest to skip #1 and go for at least #2. I have #3 right now at home and as far as I can tell it is pretty good. The cheapest source for these goods is online. Even if you visit Boseong you won�t find cheaper prices. The host website will give you some discount, you can use coupons, use certain credit cards for additional discounts etc. and you won�t get those in a direct transaction.
With a bit of a search you can find lower prices than the above stated ones. My wife spent an hour with searching but she was able to buy #5 for around 50,000Krw.

[atwood]

Try iherb.com