Chungiljem

• Master: Kim Jong-Yeol
• Company: Butdongol Dawon
• Harvest season: Spring 2024
• Location: Hadong, Korea

This sejak was expertly processed by Master Kim Jong-Yeol by hand with heart and soul. Master Kim uses heirloom tea bushes allowing the chaqi and energy to be ever present. Another quality that Master Kim insists on is that all his green teas not only take near-boiling water but are meant to (90C is more preferable than 100C).

Master Kim gives his teas a poetic name that he feels portrays the essence of the tea. Chungiljem can be translated to “Above the Crowd.”

Among one of my favorite Korean green teas, Chungiljem has characteristics of a Chinese LongJing but without so much “toastiness” and with the addition of the Korean sweetness, which is often found in many Hadong green teas. With the calming chaqi that emits from even the 1st steep and coupled with the warmth drawn to one’s face and extremities, this tea is a fine example of what deep-rooted heirloom tea bushes can provide.

Master Kim's suggested steeping parameters are:

⦿ 2g : 100ml "hot water" ( 85°C - 95°C ) 

⦿ Steep: 2m, 2m, 3m

Steeping Tips