Korean Tea Guide: Everything About Tea from South Korea
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Korean Tea: Everything You Need to Know About South Korean Tea
Types, regions, differences from Japan, how to choose: everything you need to discover the Korea of tea.
By Maison Boseong · Seoul, South Korea · June 2026 · 7 min read
Korean tea (한국 차, han-guk cha) is one of Asia's best-kept traditions. Less known than Japanese or Chinese tea, it is no less exceptional. Unique terroirs, preserved artisanal methods, varieties unavailable outside Korea.
What is Korean Tea?
Nokcha — Green Tea
Delicate, herbaceous, often sweeter than Japanese matcha.
Balhyocha — Fermented Tea
Semi-fermented with complex honey and undergrowth aromas.
Ssanghwa-cha
Traditional root infusion since the Joseon dynasty.
Bori-cha — Barley Tea
Toasted barley infusion, a daily drink for Korean families.
Boseong: The Capital of Korean Green Tea
Boseong accounts for over 40% of the national production of Korean tea. This is where Maison Boseong selects its best vintages.
Korean Tea vs. Japanese Tea
Korean green tea is dry-roasted in a Gamasot, unlike Japanese tea which is fixed with steam. The profile is milder, less bitter, and more accessible for beginners.
How to Choose Your First Korean Tea?
To start: Boseong Sejak. For fermented tea lovers: Hadong Balhyocha. For tradition: Ssanghwa-cha. To discover everything: a discovery set.
Ordering Korean Tea in France
Maison Boseong sources directly from Korean producers and delivers to France via K-Packet in 7 to 15 business days.
About the author:Nico Lesage is the founder of Maison Boseong. An expert in Korean teas, he has lived in Seoul since 2011. Every year, he travels to the peninsula’s tea gardens to source exceptional harvests directly from local producers.