Green Tea Festival

Rolling tea in Hadong.
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Hadong is yet another beautiful valley community in the southern part of Korea. Among other things it is known for it’s green tea. Although not the largest tea growing area in Korea, the tea produced is first class with some hand rolled varieties going for upwards of $50 ( yes that’s US ) for 25 grams.

The town is small, but has a nice market. The area around town is magnificent. The valley and the mountains are covered with tea bushes in attractive designs. Even the bus ride there is unforgettable.

Even the bus ride was unforgetable.

ME ME ME ME
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The Tea festival takes place outside of town near a green tea education center, and is free for foreigners who take the government tour. That includes the bus ride, lunch, activities, traditional music and dance, drinks and snacks, and 100g of green tea.

It was the first time I had ever seen the traditional Korean tea ceremony. After hearing about it we were allowed to take part, and later cheered our fellow countrymen and women as they competed in a tea ceremony. It was won by a lady from China, but a Canadian placed 1^st runner up, (no show for either of the Americans ).

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We picked tea, then roasted and rolled it before moving on to green tea rice cakes. Of course being somewhat bigger than the average Korean, they insisted I take the 8 lb wooden mallet and pound the rice. After it was finished I tasted it and passed the rest out to the children who were amazed at how hard I could swing the mallet. Of course all my Korean counterparts who took turns were old, I mean old like seventy or eighty.

All in all it was a a lot of fun, and I will try it again next may if I’m around.