한국차의 맛과 전통을 경험하세요

Experience the Taste & Tradition of Korean Tea

Korean Seasonal Tea Guide

Choose Your Season

🌸

Spring

Renewal & Fresh Growth

☀️

Summer

Cooling & Hydration

🍂

Autumn

Harvest & Preparation

❄️

Winter

Warmth & Comfort

Spring Tea Traditions

In Korean culture, spring represents renewal and fresh beginnings. Traditional spring teas focus on gentle cleansing and supporting the body’s natural awakening from winter dormancy. Korean families often welcome spring with fresh green teas and mountain herbs that celebrate new growth.

Cultural Tradition

Korean families traditionally begin drinking lighter, fresher teas as cherry blossoms bloom, marking the transition from winter’s warming teas to spring’s renewal varieties. Many Korean tea ceremonies during spring focus on appreciation for nature’s awakening.

First Flush Green Tea

첫물차 (Cheotmulcha)

The most prized Korean green tea, harvested in late April to early May from tender young leaves. This tea embodies spring’s fresh energy with naturally sweet flavor and delicate grassy notes.

Spring Benefits

Perfect for gentle morning rituals • Natural sweetness without additives • Light, refreshing character

Mountain Wild Tea

산야차 (Sanyacha)

Wild tea varieties foraged from Korean mountains during spring. These teas carry the essence of mountain air and spring rain, offering complex flavors that change with each sip.

Spring Benefits

Connects you to Korean nature • Unique seasonal availability • Complex, evolving flavors

Bamboo Leaf Tea

죽엽차 (Jungnyeopcha)

Fresh bamboo leaves create a clean, green tea that Koreans associate with spring’s pure energy. Naturally caffeine-free with a fresh, grassy flavor that embodies spring renewal.

Spring Benefits

Caffeine-free freshness • Light, clean taste • Traditional spring cleansing

Spring Brewing Tips

Water Temperature

70-75°C

Steeping Time

1-2 minutes

Best Time

Morning

Infusions

3-4 times

Summer Tea Traditions

Korean summer tea culture emphasizes cooling and hydration. Traditional summer teas help maintain internal temperature balance while providing refreshing alternatives to plain water. Many Korean families keep cold tea preparations in their refrigerators throughout the hot season.

Cultural Tradition

Korean restaurants and households serve cold barley tea as the standard summer beverage. Traditional Korean medicine recognizes summer as a time when the body needs cooling foods and drinks to maintain balance during hot weather.

Cold Barley Tea

차가운 보리차 (Chagaun Boricha)

Korea’s quintessential summer drink. Roasted barley creates a naturally sweet, nutty tea that’s served ice-cold and consumed throughout the day for hydration and cooling.

Summer Benefits

Natural cooling properties • Caffeine-free hydration • Traditional summer comfort

Chrysanthemum Tea

국화차 (Gukhwacha)

Delicate white and yellow flowers create a golden tea with natural cooling properties. Korean tradition uses chrysanthemum tea to balance summer heat and provide gentle refreshment.

Summer Benefits

Natural flower sweetness • Cooling and calming • Beautiful visual presentation

Corn Silk Tea

옥수수 수염차 (Oksusu Suyeomcha)

Made from dried corn silk, this mild, sweet tea is popular in Korean households during summer. It provides gentle hydration with a clean, refreshing taste.

Summer Benefits

Mild, pleasant flavor • Natural diuretic properties • Affordable daily drink

Summer Brewing Tips

Preparation

Hot then chilled

Storage

Refrigerated

Serving

Over ice

Duration

2-3 days

Autumn Tea Traditions

Korean autumn tea culture prepares the body for winter while celebrating the harvest season. Traditional autumn teas tend to be more substantial and warming, helping build internal strength as temperatures begin to drop and daylight shortens.

Cultural Tradition

Autumn brings Korean families back to warming teas and traditional preparations. This season marks the transition from cooling summer drinks to the nourishing, strengthening teas that will sustain through winter months.

Autumn Green Tea

가을 녹차 (Gaeul Nokcha)

Late harvest green tea with fuller body and nutty undertones. Autumn green tea offers more substantial flavor than spring varieties, perfect for cooler weather enjoyment.

Autumn Benefits

Fuller, more robust flavor • Warming without being heavy • Seasonal harvest character

Persimmon Leaf Tea

감잎차 (Gamipcha)

Made from dried persimmon leaves, this traditional Korean tea celebrates autumn’s harvest. It offers a mild, slightly sweet flavor with warming properties perfect for seasonal transition.

Autumn Benefits

Seasonal harvest celebration • Gentle warming • Rich in natural nutrients

Jujube Tea

대추차 (Daechucha)

Sweet, warming tea made from Korean jujube dates. This nourishing drink provides comfort as autumn progresses toward winter, with natural sweetness and warming energy.

Autumn Benefits

Natural sweetness • Warming and nourishing • Traditional comfort drink

Autumn Brewing Tips

Water Temperature

80-85°C

Steeping Time

3-5 minutes

Best Time

Afternoon

Preparation

Hot, comforting

Winter Tea Traditions

Korean winter tea culture focuses on internal warming and comfort during the coldest months. Traditional winter teas are substantial and nourishing, providing both physical warmth and emotional comfort during long, cold nights.

Cultural Tradition

Winter is the season for Korean families to enjoy their most warming and nourishing teas. Traditional Korean medicine emphasizes building internal warmth and strength during winter months through warming foods and teas.

Ginseng Tea

인삼차 (Insamcha)

Korea’s most famous warming tea. Red ginseng provides substantial warmth and energy during cold winter months. This earthy, warming tea embodies Korean winter comfort traditions.

Winter Benefits

Maximum warming properties • Traditional winter strength • Long-lasting warmth

Ginger Tea

생강차 (Saenggangcha)

Fresh ginger root creates intensely warming tea perfect for Korean winter weather. Often sweetened with honey, this spicy tea provides immediate internal heat and comfort.

Winter Benefits

Immediate warming effect • Spicy, invigorating • Traditional cold weather remedy

Hot Barley Tea

뜨거운 보리차 (Tteugeoun Boricha)

The same barley tea enjoyed cold in summer becomes a warming winter comfort when served hot. This versatile tea provides gentle warmth perfect for Korean winter evenings.

Winter Benefits

Gentle warming • Caffeine-free comfort • Year-round family favorite

Winter Brewing Tips

Water Temperature

90-95°C

Steeping Time

5-15 minutes

Best Time

Evening

Serving

Very hot

Discover Authentic Korean Tea Culture

Welcome to Seoulful Tea, where East meets West in a perfect cup. Our passion for Korean tea began in the bustling tea houses of Seoul, where we discovered the profound traditions and exceptional flavors that make Korean tea truly special.

From the delicate notes of Korean green tea to the robust warmth of traditional herbal blends, we guide you through an authentic journey of taste, culture, and wellness. Whether you’re a curious beginner or a seasoned tea enthusiast, our carefully curated recommendations help you find the perfect Korean tea for every moment.

Types of Tea

Green Tea (Nokcha)

Discover the gentle elegance of Korean green tea, where centuries of traditional hand-processing create naturally sweet, smooth flavors without bitterness. From the rolling hills of Boseong to the volcanic slopes of Jeju Island, Korean nokcha offers a uniquely mellow tea experience that reflects Korea’s contemplative tea traditions and masterful cultivation techniques.

Explore Green Teas

Herbal Teas

Experience Korea’s caffeine-free tea traditions through authentic herbal varieties enjoyed in Korean homes for generations. From world-renowned Korean ginseng with its distinctive earthy character, to comforting barley tea served at every Korean table, these traditional teas offer unique flavors and cultural connections. Rooted in Korean family traditions, each herbal tea provides authentic taste experiences while honoring centuries of cultural wisdom.

Explore Herbal Teas

Read Our Posts

A Beginner’s Guide to Korean Tea Tasting: Developing Your Palate and Appreciation
by Matt
September 21, 2025
Korean tea offers a journey of discovery that rewards patience, attention, and an open mind. Unlike wine tasting with its complex vocabulary and intimidating rituals, Korean tea tasting emphasizes mindful appreciation and personal enjoyment. Whether you’re sampling your first cup of nokcha or exploring the… Read more: A Beginner’s Guide to Korean Tea Tasting: Developing Your Palate and Appreciation
The Art of Korean Tea Brewing: A Journey Into Mindful Preparation
by Matt
September 21, 2025
There’s something magical about the first time you properly brew Korean tea. The gentle steam rising from your cup, the earthy aroma filling the air, and that moment when you realize you’re not just making a drink – you’re participating in a ritual that has… Read more: The Art of Korean Tea Brewing: A Journey Into Mindful Preparation
The Story Behind Korea’s Famous Tea Regions: Where Geography Meets Tradition
by Matt
September 21, 2025
Korea’s tea culture spans over 1,500 years, with certain regions becoming legendary for producing exceptional teas that capture the essence of Korean terroir. From the misty slopes of Boseong to the ancient groves of Hadong, each tea region tells a unique story of geography, climate,… Read more: The Story Behind Korea’s Famous Tea Regions: Where Geography Meets Tradition

서울에서 저지까지, 한국차 문화를 함께 나누어요

From Seoul to Jersey, sharing Korean tea culture together