Hankook Tea Company

A family run business, we build close relationships by providing personal attention to all our customers. We invite you to share your interests and passion for tea with us.

In the past 70 years, the art of drinking water has been cultivated to graceful perfection.

The pristine essence of our heirloom teas has been preserved as each leaf is meticulously nurtured and harvested with patient determination and expertise. With our stringent standards and dedication, we have continued our rich heritage and defined the modern history of exceptional teas.

"The Philosophy of the Art of Drinking Pure Water"
We learned to delight in the refined arts of friendship and shared tea.

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 Estates. In the early 1950’s, before the coming of age of green tea in Korea, the first Honam Tea farm was started at the foot of Mudeung Mountain. As green tea gained popularity in Korea, the company expanded the farm to encompass several acres in four locations – Yeongam, Jangseong, Haenam and Boseong. 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 in nature and free of pesticides, our family run company upholds the strictest standards to take quality to new levels, creating a taste of integrity within each sip.

 

History of Hankook Tea

1951	Established "Hankook Black Tea" in the city of Suncheon.
1964	Relocated to city of Gwangju. In addition to green tea and black tea, started production of duchung (eucommia ulmoides) and kyulmyung (cassia seed).
1975	Following revision of law, received Tea Product Manufacture Permit No. 52 from the Minister of State of the Department of Labor.
1979	Expanded and relocated to current location in Gwangju. Manufactured 7 types and 31 items of natural, healthy tea.
1994	Name changed to "Hankook Tea Company". Duchung exported to Japan.
1995	Official green tea sponsor of the "Gwangju Biennale 1995". First to export Jaksul Green Tea to Canada.
1996	Elevated status of Korean green tea by participating in the International Tea Competition sponsored by board of Shizuoka in Japan as the Korean representative.
1997	"Woon-Cha Cultural Center" opened to public, with free workshops about tea and tea culture.
1998	Selected "Promising Medium & Small Business" of the city of Gwangju.
1999	Erected statue of Master Choeiu at the Daeheung Temple in Haenam.
2000	Appointed Traditional Cultural Succeeded Business by the National Tax Service (Korea). Awarded “Tea of the Year” by the Federation of Korean Tea Masters Society. Awarded Honor Certificate and International Famous Tea Honorary Medal at The 2nd Chinese International Tea Festival. Completed construction of our second tea factory, located in Yeongam.
2002	Received Excellence Award for Malcha (powdered green tea), Ujeon Gamro Jaksul Green Tea and Gamro Green Tea at the Korean International Tea Competition.
2003	Upgraded our Gwangju tea factory with fully-automated equipment, including a high-performance automatic teabag packaging machine from Italy.
2004	Received Honorary Doctorate Degree of Food Product Education from National University of Korea Mokpo.
2005	Established of Hankook Tea U.S.A., Inc. and opened "ChaSaengWon" in Los Angeles, California, USA.
2008	Founder Yang Won Suh appointed as the 34th "Grand Master of Traditional Korean Foods" by the Republic of Korea - awarded for superior production of Hwang Cha (partially oxidized tea) and Malcha (powdered green tea).
2009	Acquired organic certification (Korea) and ISO22000 certification.
2010	Acquired USDA and EU organic certification. Received MAFRA Korea's Minister Award at competition selecting famous tea most suitable for globalization of Korean food.
2013	Following in his father's footsteps and continuing the family legacy, Minsoo Seo appointed as the 54th "Grand Master of Traditional Korean Foods" by the Republic of Korea - awarded for superior production of Hwang Cha (partially oxidized tea) and Malcha (powdered green tea).
2014	"Woon-Cha Cultural Center" renovated and reopened. "ChaSaengWon" flagship store grand opening.
2015	Reconstructed main Gwangju tea factory.
2016	Acquired KMF Halal certification.
2017	Acquired HACCP certification and MUI Halal certification.
2021	Acquired FSSC22000 certification. Celebration of 70th anniversary.