Green tea (nokcha in Korean) is called "sparrow's tongue tea" (jaksulcha) due to the tea leaf's delicate shape. In Korea, green tea is graded by the size of the raw tea leaf and the time it is harvested according to the lunar calendar.
Ujeon - Marks the first buds of the season that appear early in the spring
Sejak - Describes the small buds and leaves that appear early to late spring
Joongjak - Describes the medium leaves from the third pluck; early to mid summer
Daejak - Describes
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Mina Park is the general manager at Hankook Tea Company, which has been manufacturing tea in Korea since 1951, and has established its U.S. branch in 2005. She has been with the U.S. branch since 2006, and in her many years with the company, oversaw each stage of change from retail storefront into wholesale and distribution. Over the years, she played multiple roles within the company related to international communications, business development, management, finance, marketing and customer relations. She has also represented the company on numerous occasions in trade shows, educational seminars, and presentations, playing a role in providing education about Korean tea and culture in North America. She is also a co-founder of Suro Cha, Inc. in Los Angeles, which is a brand that showcases tea blends and herbal blends.
