By John Redmond
Brother Anthony, president of the Royal Asiatic Society Korean Branch (RASKB) will host a tea-making, temples and food excursion to Mt. Jiri this weekend.
This annual trip offers a unique opportunity to participate in tea-making processes, and taste fresh tea in the beautiful surroundings of Mount Jiri, as well as sampling local delicacies.
The group will meet at 8 a.m. at Yongsan Post Office outside Sinyongsan Station on Line 4 and catch a bus to South Jeolla Province, where they will have lunch near Hwaeom Temple.
Founded in 544, Hwaeom Temple is one of several temples claiming to be the place where tea sent by the Chinese emperor was planted in Korea.
Groves of wild tea grow on the hillside surrounding the temple. Participants will meet tea master Hyoam there in his small tea garden.
"After arriving we will first drink some tea, then learn briefly how the fresh shoots used for tea-making are picked. It takes most people a day to pick a couple hundred grams. Time being limited, we will then work to process (by hand) tea leaves that have been picked for us in advance, under the guidance of experienced tea-makers. The leaves for green tea are softened in a heated cauldron, then taken to a table and rubbed, then returned to a gentler fire, rubbed again..." states the invite. "The main thing is to ensure they do not scorch."
Later Saturday afternoon, the group will visit Hwaeom Temple for the beating of the drum and ringing of the bell, followed by evening chanting in the great hall.
The next morning, participants will drive to Seonam Temple, about 40 minutes away, one of Korea's most beautiful temples, to drink tea with a learned monk-artist.
The RASKB, a nonprofit organization founded in 1900, aims to encourage understanding of the arts, customs, history and landscapes of Korea through lectures, tours and publications.
The weekend trip costs 215,000 won for members and 235,000 won for non-members.
The fee covers bus rental, four meals including a special Saturday supper spread, a special Sunday lunch, accommodation and the tea-making experience.
Visit raskb.com for more information.
 |
| An image of Hwaeom Temple in South Jeolla Province / Korea Times file |
This annual trip offers a unique opportunity to participate in tea-making processes, and taste fresh tea in the beautiful surroundings of Mount Jiri, as well as sampling local delicacies.
The group will meet at 8 a.m. at Yongsan Post Office outside Sinyongsan Station on Line 4 and catch a bus to South Jeolla Province, where they will have lunch near Hwaeom Temple.
Founded in 544, Hwaeom Temple is one of several temples claiming to be the place where tea sent by the Chinese emperor was planted in Korea.
Groves of wild tea grow on the hillside surrounding the temple. Participants will meet tea master Hyoam there in his small tea garden.
"After arriving we will first drink some tea, then learn briefly how the fresh shoots used for tea-making are picked. It takes most people a day to pick a couple hundred grams. Time being limited, we will then work to process (by hand) tea leaves that have been picked for us in advance, under the guidance of experienced tea-makers. The leaves for green tea are softened in a heated cauldron, then taken to a table and rubbed, then returned to a gentler fire, rubbed again..." states the invite. "The main thing is to ensure they do not scorch."
Later Saturday afternoon, the group will visit Hwaeom Temple for the beating of the drum and ringing of the bell, followed by evening chanting in the great hall.
The next morning, participants will drive to Seonam Temple, about 40 minutes away, one of Korea's most beautiful temples, to drink tea with a learned monk-artist.
The RASKB, a nonprofit organization founded in 1900, aims to encourage understanding of the arts, customs, history and landscapes of Korea through lectures, tours and publications.
The weekend trip costs 215,000 won for members and 235,000 won for non-members.
The fee covers bus rental, four meals including a special Saturday supper spread, a special Sunday lunch, accommodation and the tea-making experience.
Visit raskb.com for more information.
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