Ujeon, Sejak, Joongjak: The Solar Calendar in Your Cup
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Ujeon, Sejak, Joongjak: The Solar Calendar in Your Cup
As you browse our shop, you may notice mysterious names: Ujeon, Sejak, or Joongjak. These are not different plant varieties, but rather temporal markers based on the 24 solar terms of the traditional calendar. Today, Maison Boseong helps you decode these designations to find the tea that perfectly matches your mood.
1. Ujeon: "Before the Rain"
Ujeon is the first cry of spring. Harvested before the period of Gogu ("Grain Rain," around April 20th), it consists of the very first buds.
The Profile: An absolute rarity. The leaves are tiny, tender, and packed with essential oils (or aromatic richness) accumulated during the winter.
The Taste: Incredible umami sweetness, a silky texture, and a total absence of bitterness.
The Experience: Discover our Grand Cru Spring Ujeon, the jewel of our collection, to be reserved for exceptional moments.
2. Sejak: "Sparrow’s Tongue"
Sejak is harvested just after the first rains of late April. Its name comes from the shape of the leaves—fine and pointed, like the tongue of a small bird.
The Profile: The quintessential Korean tea, offering the perfect balance between freshness and character.
The Taste: Notes of toasted hazelnut typical of Korean pan-firing, with a lingering vegetal finish.
The Experience: Our Boseong Sejak Green Tea is the essential choice for discovering the soul of our terroir.
3. Joongjak: "The Maturity of May"
Harvested in May, Joongjak uses leaves that are slightly larger and more mature.
The Profile: A more robust tea, capable of withstanding slightly higher water temperatures.
The Taste: A fuller body and a bolder, slightly more astringent flavor—ideal for stimulating the mind.
The Experience: Perfect for daily tasting, it expresses itself beautifully in our Boseong Stoneware Bowls.
Why such temporal precision?
In Korea, we do not simply harvest tea; we capture a precise moment in nature. The earlier the harvest (Ujeon), the more rare and delicate the tea. As the season progresses (Joongjak), the tea gains strength.
Each period offers a different energy. Which season will you invite into your Side-Handle Teapot today?
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.