Top 5 Korean Teas You Must Try Before You Die — Tea Sommelier Edition
By Shane Kim — Certified Korean Tea Sommelier & Tea Master
What If the World’s Most Balanced Tea Was Still Hidden?
You’ve tasted black teas from the West. You’ve seen matcha from Japan and oolong from China. But what if the tea that captures the perfect balance between them all — the one that feels calm yet alive — has been quietly waiting in Korea?
Korean tea sits where strength meets softness. It is not as sharp as Japanese green tea, nor as heavy as Assam Black Tea from India. It tastes like harmony itself — mountain mist, ocean air, and patience in liquid form.
As a Certified Korean Tea Sommelier, I have spent years chasing that harmony. And after countless cups, I can tell you: there are five teas in Korea that you must experience before you leave this world — not for their price or prestige, but for the way they make you slow down, taste deeper, and feel time differently.
1. Master Park Black Tea — The Legacy of Korean Craft
Every leaf of this tea carries the weight of three generations. Master Park Soo-Geun, who first tended the cauldron fire at age six, became Korea’s first “Traditional Hand-Crafted Green-Tea Master”, designated Food Grand Master No. 16 in 1999.
He still follows the ancient gu-jeung-gu-po (九蒸九曝) method — nine rounds of steaming and drying that build extraordinary depth and purity.
Aroma & Taste
Aroma: softly earthy — baked potato, aged wood, roasted nuts.
Taste: delicately sweet with mandarin and peach notes that unfold gently on the tongue.
Why Try It Before You Die
Because this tea is more than a drink — it is a living cultural heritage. At 82, Master Park still crafts every batch himself, preserving a tradition few can continue. Every leaf is hand-picked, hand-rolled, and hand-roasted, carrying the imprint of his skill and spirit. To taste this tea is to experience the essence of Korean craftsmanship — a moment of mastery that may never be replicated once his hands retire.
2. Master Park Green Tea — The Heritage of Korea
If Master Park’s black tea is a story of fire, Green tea is a story of light.Each leaf is plucked when spring first wakes — delicate, tender, and full of life. Park Soo-Geun.
Honored as “Tea of the Year” at the 1998 Hadong Cultural Festival, continues to be celebrated for its purity and grace in international tea circles.
He continues to use the ancient gu-jeung-gu-po (九蒸九曝) method — steaming and roasting the young leaves nine times to preserve their brightness and vitality. Unlike black tea, which deepens through oxidation, Sejak remains vivid — it carries the cool breath of morning mist and the quiet energy of mountain dew. Only about 200 jars are made each year.
Aroma & Taste
Aroma: Floral and green, Subtle grassy note
Taste: gentle sweetness, Umami depth
Why Try It Before You Die
Because this tea is more than a drink — it is a living cultural heritage. At 82, Master Park still crafts every batch himself, preserving a tradition few can continue. Every leaf is hand-picked, hand-rolled, and hand-roasted, carrying the imprint of his skill and spirit. To taste this tea is to experience the essence of Korean craftsmanship — a moment of mastery that may never be replicated once his hands retire.
3. O’sulloc Moonwalk — A Night in Jeju’s Calm Sky
Among O’sulloc’s signature blends, Moonwalk is one of the most poetic. It combines Jeju black tea, Korean pear, and a touch of honey, inspired by the stillness of Jeju’s moonlit nights. The blend reveals the craftsmanship O’sulloc is known for — transforming simple ingredients into something elegant and emotionally resonant.
As Korea’s No.1 premium tea brand, O’sulloc has spent decades preserving Jeju’s tea-growing heritage while developing modern techniques that bring balance and clarity to every cup.
Aroma & Taste
Aroma: soft honey and pear sweetness over a roasted black tea base
Taste: smooth, layered, and naturally sweet — like pear honey meeting dark tea warmth
Finish: clean and round, leaving a gentle calm on the palate
Why Try It Before You Die
Because Moonwalk captures the art of blending — a balance between comfort and depth. Each sip feels like a quiet evening under Jeju’s stars, where sweetness meets serenity. It’s more than tea; it’s a feeling that settles you.
4. Jeju Red Papaya Black Tea — The Tropical Pulse of Jeju
Jeju Red Papaya Black Tea shows the playful side of Korean blending. Here, tropical papaya meets Jeju black tea, accented with soft rose petals for a floral touch. The blend expresses Osulloc’s creative spirit — combining Jeju’s natural terrior with refined tea-making to create something that feels bright, fresh, and joyful.
Aroma & Taste
Aroma: tropical sweetness and floral undertone
Taste: juicy, fruity, and lightly floral — papaya gives depth, rose brings elegance
Finish: smooth, refreshing, and mood-lifting
Why Try It Before You Die
Because the papaya with rose aroma makes you smile instantly. It’s not artificial or perfumed — it’s a natural blending technique that relaxes you with perfect balance and gentle sweetness. You don’t need to add sugar or milk — the flavor is already complete, calm, and beautifully whole.
5. Jeju Samdayeon Tangerine Tea — Sunshine in a Cup
Made from Jeju’s famous tangerine orchards, this tea blends 100% Oxidation tea leaves with aroma of fresh tangerines. It’s a perfect expression of Jeju — the sunlight, the sea air, and the energy of citrus woven together. The fermentation adds warmth and depth, balancing the bright fruit notes with smooth comfort.
Aroma & Taste
Aroma: fresh citrus peel and sweet wood
Taste: bright and juicy with mellow depth from fermentation
Finish: clean, smooth, and lightly sweet
Why Try It Before You Die
Because Korean Yuja, the signature citrus used in Korean cuisine, gives this tea its unique charm. The natural sweetness infused with black tea creates a balanced, soothing aroma — pure citrus harmony without sharpness or bitterness. It’s bright, comforting, and full of that gentle Korean warmth that makes you want another sip.
