History and Awards 
History and Awards
Cherishing the Exquisite Art of Tea and the Philosophy of Friendship
The modern history of Korean artisan tea is rooted in the grounds of Hankook Tea Company and Honam Tea Estate. In the early 1950’s, before the coming of age of green tea in Korea, the first Honam Tea farm was planted at the foot of Mudeung Mountain. As green tea gained popularity in Korea, the company expanded the farm to encompass several hundreds of acres in four locations – Bo Seong, Yeong Nam, Jang Seong and Hae Nam. Each tea estate was carefully chosen for its ideal climate and geographic location for tea bushes.
Within the idyllic surroundings sprouts the most elegant cup of green tea defined by its incredible combination of lightness and intensity. Grown free of pesticides and free trade, our family run company upholds the strictest standards to take quality to new levels, creating a taste of integrity with each sip.
Cherished and preserved, the age-old essence unaltered by time, we bring to you pureness at an affordable price.
History of Hankook Tea Company
1951 Established Hankook Black Tea Plantation in the city of Soon Chon.
1964 The tea plantation was relocated to Gwangju. Green tea, black tea, Duchung tea and Bright Eyes (Kyul Myoung) tea shrubs were planted.
1975 Following revision of law, received Tea Product Manufacture Permit No. 52 from the Minister of State of the Department of Labor.
1994 Name changed to Hankook Tea Company.
Duchung Tea exported to Japan.
1995 Official sponsor of the Gwangju Biennale.
Jaksul Green Tea exported to Canada.
1996 Participated in the Shizuoka International Tea Exhibition in Japan as the Korean tea industry representative. Elevated the status of Korean tea industry in an international forum.
1997 Opening of the Un-Cha Cultural Center with free workshops on tea culture.
1998 Named striving company of Gwangyeok, Gwangju.
1999 Constructed and placed a statue of the first tea master of Korea in the Dae Heung Sa (Buddhist temple) in Hae Nam.
2000 Appointed company of traditional culture succession by the National Tax Service.
Awarded “Tea of the Year” by the Korean Tea Association.
Construction of second tea plantation, located in Yeong Am, completed.
Received Honor Award at The Second Chinese International Tea Competition.
2002 Received Excellence Award for Matcha tea, Ujeon Gamro and Gamro Tea at the Korean International Tea Competition.
2004 Received Honorary Doctorate Degree of Food Product Education from National University of Korea Mokpo.
2005 Establishment of Hankook Tea USA, Inc. and Chasaengwon Tea and Tea Ware Franchise in the United States.
Awards (Hankook Tea Company)
|
Type |
Title |
Date |
Reason/From |
|
Commendation |
Minster of Agriculture / Jong Mun Park |
Dec. 5, 1984 |
Development of innovative tea farming methods |
|
|
Mayor of Gwangyeok, Gwangju / Un Jong Song |
Dec. 29, 1995 |
Contribution to community economic development |
|
|
Director of General Affairs of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism |
Oct. 29, 2000 |
Construction of statue of the first tea master |
|
Award Certificate |
Execution Committee of the First Culture Exhibition |
Oct. 30, 1995 |
Contribution to popularization of tea culture in Korea |
|
|
Chosen “New Intellectual*” of Korea |
Nov. 22, 2001 |
Content: Superior Tea Manufacturing Company |
|
|
Dachon Tea award from the Korean Tea Association, Inc. |
July 8, 2002 |
Contribution to development of tea culture |
|
|
Korean Dado Association, Inc. –Master of Tea Award |
May 13, 2003 |
Awarded Master of Tea Manufacturing |
|
|
Merit of Excellence at The Second Tea World Festival |
May 30, 2004 |
Merit of Excellence |
|
|
Director of Rural Development Administration / Jung Soo Son |
June 17, 2005 |
Contribution to development of tea manufacturing |
|
Merit Award |
President of Korea Tea Culture Association, Inc. / Woun Hong Lee |
Feb. 23, 1997 |
Contribution to development of tea and tea manufacturing |
|
|
Federation of Korean Tea Masters Society, Inc. / Kwon Heum Park |
Jan. 20, 1999 |
Contribution to development of tea culture |
|
|
Tea Culture Center, Inc. / Seung Hee Kam |
Oct. 29, 1999 |
Contribution to development of tea and culture |
|
|
The Korean Tea Society |
Oct. 29, 1999 |
Contribution to development of tea and culture |
|
|
Korea Tea Culture Association, Inc. |
Oct. 29, 1999 |
Construction of statue of first tea master of Korea |
|
Plaque of Thanks |
Minister of Home Affairs / Kyung Woun Park |
Feb. 20, 1971 |
Contribution to development of community |
|
|
Mayor of Gwangju / Shi Chae Jung |
Feb. 15, 1971 |
Contribution to development of community |
|
|
President of Korea Tea Culture Association, Inc. / Ji Young Song |
May 25, 1986 |
Contribution to development of tea and tea manufacturing |
|
|
Director of Donggu, Gwangju / In Sub Seo |
June 2, 1986 |
Contribution of development of traditional tea |
|
|
Federation of Korean Tea Masters Society, Inc. |
Jan. 20, 1989 |
Contribution to development of tea culture |
|
|
Executive Director of Myungwon Foundation of Culture |
May 18, 1997 |
Contribution to development of tea culture |
|
|
Korea Tea Culture Association, Inc. |
May 23, 1998 |
Contribution to development of tea culture |
|
|
Mok Pyo Tea Masters Association |
Oct. 29, 1999 |
Contribution to development of tea culture |
|
|
The Korean Tea Society |
Oct. 29, 1999 |
Contribution to development of tea and tea manufacturing |
|
|
Kyungwon University |
June 17, 2000 |
Contribution to development of tea culture |
|
|
Executive Director of Korea Tea Culture Association, Inc. |
Aug. 19, 2001 |
Contribution to development of tea culture |
|
|
The Korean Tea Society |
Oct. 22, 2004 |
Contribution to development of tea culture |
|
Commemoration |
Korea Tea Culture Association, Inc. - Branch in district of Honam |
Oct. 29, 1999 |
Contribution to development of tea culture |
|
Selection |
Chosen “New Intellectual*” of Gwangyeok, Gwangju |
Aug. 29, 1999 |
Contribution to development of tea culture |
|
Certification of Authenticity |
The Second Chinese International Tea Competition – Certified as “Excellent Tea” |
Oct. 2000 |
Honor Award at International Tea competition |
|
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*Starting in Feb. of 1999, the Korean government has chosen individuals and/or groups to be named “New Intellectual” (Shin Jishik In in Korean). Regardless of their academic background, individuals and groups that make valuable contributions to the common, “active” knowledge of society get chosen for this award. This includes individuals and groups that think outside the box to create innovative, more efficient ways to improve the way work is done.
