---
title: "SPECIAL: Tea 11 — What Makes Your Property Special"
description: "Green tea is the overlooked hospitality differentiator. Tea sommelier Lim Eun-hye breaks down why this zero-fermentation tea works in hotels—cooling properties, prep flexibility, and guest appeal that black tea can't match."
published: 2019-07-30T00:00:00+00:00
author: "ONDA 편집팀"
category: "Insights"
image: "https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/65a9fd08927d1b1e8cbda749_62e76771a26fe3036ab1048f_5e9429489610461d117f2f19_micheile-henderson-tdgyrovw_ju-unsplash_00.jpeg"
canonical: https://global.onda.me/en/blog?slug=special-dangsinyi-sugsoreul-teugbyeolhage-mandeuleojul-tea-11
locale: en
---
# SPECIAL: Tea 11 — What Makes Your Property Special

### **11. Differentiate Your Property with Green Tea**

**Writer: Tea Sommelier Lim Eun-hye (Brand Manager, Tea Grace)**

**Editor: ONDA Manager Somora**

![](https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/65a9fd09927d1b1e8cbda76a_62e76772a26fe366a5b10492_5e942947b499e583addf301e_screenshot-1-8.png)

![](https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/65a9fd09927d1b1e8cbda76f_62e76772a26fe34b42b10490_5e94294773fd9d6bb88984e3_screenshot-1-9.png)

**About the Writer
Lim Eun-hye**
- Tea Sommelier Research Institute Gold Course Graduate
- Menu consulting for café franchises and independent stores
- TEA product production consulting
- Milk tea & tea-ade one-day classes and corporate lectures
- Online store operator, columnist for blogs and MAGAZINE ON

![](https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/65a9fd08927d1b1e8cbda749_62e76771a26fe3036ab1048f_5e9429489610461d117f2f19_micheile-henderson-tdgyrovw_ju-unsplash_00.jpeg)

Photo by Micheile Henderson on Unsplash

Hello, Magazine ON readers — it's Tea Sommelier Tea Grace. Are you staying healthy through this sweltering rainy season? Since it's summer vacation season, I imagine our hospitality subscribers are navigating a busy peak period. This August issue introduces **"green tea"** — the perfect drink for hot, uncomfortably humid weather.

### **What Is Green Tea?**

Tea is classified by oxidation level: green tea, oolong, black tea, and pu-erh. **Green tea** is made by heating freshly picked leaves immediately to halt oxidation enzyme activity, then rolling, drying, and refining them — all without additional fermentation.

![](https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/65a9fd09927d1b1e8cbda772_62e76772a26fe3501db10491_5e94294736c30b7592e8bd2b_teagrace_screenshot-1.jpeg)

Green tea

**Black tea**, by contrast, goes through wilting, rolling, full fermentation, and refining — making it a fully oxidized tea (80%+ tannin oxidation). **Oolong** sits in between: partially fermented (about 50% tannin oxidation). As the leaves ferment, they darken and curl like a dragon, hence the name *oolong* (or *wulong* — "black dragon").

![](https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/65a9fd09927d1b1e8cbda77b_62e76772a26fe35cafb10497_5e94294896104613997f2f18_teagrace_screenshot-2.jpeg)

![](https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/65a9fd09927d1b1e8cbda77f_62e76772a26fe3153eb104a6_5e9429485f86786981656e28_teagrace_screenshot-3.png)

Oolong (top), Black tea (bottom)

### **The Origin and Types of Korean Green Tea**

Korean green tea was first cultivated in Hadong, Gyeongsangnam-do — near Ssanggyesa Temple. According to the Samguk Sagi, in 828 AD, Kim Dae-ryeom brought tea seeds from Tang China and planted them around Jirisan by royal decree.

April and May mark Korea's first green tea harvest season. That's when tea enthusiasts flock to Hadong — to tour plantations or stock up on the year's first leaves.

### **A Property That Differentiates with Green Tea (Kensington Resort Hadong)**

Before diving deeper, let me introduce a resort and café that leverage green tea as a differentiator. **Kensington Resort Hadong** (an E-Land property) is located in Hadong, the birthplace of Korean tea. Below is their **"King's Green Tea Package."**

Hadong's signature product? Green tea. The **King's Green Tea Package** brilliantly captures that local identity. For ₩100,000–₩200,000 (low vs. peak season), guests get a 16-pyeong room, breakfast for two, and a *Sejak* green tea set for two.

![](https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/65a9fd09927d1b1e8cbda789_62e76772a26fe36c50b10495_5e942949333832d2e5438bd6_screenshot-3.png)

Kensington Resort Hadong — differentiating with green tea in Korea's tea birthplace

### **Why Sejak? What Makes It Special?**

Kensington Hadong's package features **Sejak** green tea. Why this grade? To answer that, you need to know how Korean green tea is classified.

Korean green tea is categorized by **leaf size** and **harvest timing**:

**Ujeon / Sejak (Jakseol-cha) / Jungjak / Daejak**

Here's a breakdown:

![](https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/65a9fd09927d1b1e8cbda784_62e76772a26fe346efb10496_5e94294906600ff6f1dc790c_screenshot-2-3.png)

Origin and characteristics of Korean green tea grades

**Sejak** uses the purest, youngest leaves — giving it a premium feel. Of course, tea is a crop like fruit: drought or harsh winters affect yield and flavor. **Seasonal tea tastes best.** So this package is ideal for April–May guests.

### **Tea Carries Its Terroir**

I've mentioned before how tea absorbs its environment — climate, temperature, humidity, soil. This is its **terroir**. Jeju and Japanese teas, from island terroir, have a slightly briny, umami-forward profile. Hadong and Boseong teas, grown on the mainland, deliver a nutty, savory depth.

That's how Kensington Hadong's **King's Green Tea Package** differentiates: premium Sejak tea that embodies its place.

### **How to Brew Green Tea for Maximum Flavor**

Now let's talk brewing. Of the four grades, Ujeon is rare and expensive. Sejak strikes the best balance: affordable, available, deeply flavorful. Here's how to brew it.

**< Ingredients & Tools >**

**Hadong Sejak green tea: 3g**

**Boiling water (95–98°C): 150mL**

**Green tea brewing set**

Traditional green tea sets include a *hoengpa* teapot (side handle), triangular cups, or a *hoopa* teapot (rear handle) with round cups. But any teapot works.

Add 3g of Sejak, pour boiling water, steep for 30 seconds to 1 minute 30 seconds, then serve.

![](https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/65a9fd09927d1b1e8cbda775_62e76772a26fe35016b10494_5e94294965892b7d1a18a48e_teagrace_screenshot-8.jpeg)

![](https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/65a9fd09927d1b1e8cbda765_62e76772a26fe35d40b10493_5e942949459693698575b156_teagrace_screenshot-9.jpeg)

Green tea brewing sets

Unlike herbal or black tea (which steep 3–5 minutes), green tea steeps **very briefly** — just 30 seconds to 1 minute 30 seconds. Some even brew at 60–70°C (lukewarm). Try both methods and find your recipe.

### **The Nature of Green Tea**

Green tea has **cooling properties** — perfect for sweltering days like these. Excess body heat can trigger hair loss or acne; cooling the system is the first remedy. After sun exposure, green tea rinses and showers soothe the skin wonderfully. I use them often myself.

Today we covered **green tea, properties that differentiate with it, brewing methods, and its cooling properties**. You don't have to use green tea — **any local specialty tea can become a differentiator**. Writing this column made me dream up a concept: a "Tea House" property.

Next issue, I'll take you deeper into the world of green tea. Thank you.

**\[Series Index\]**

[2018.09 Understanding Tea & Property Differentiation](https://onda.me/magazine/21/post/1664)

[2018.10 Blended Tea & Why You Should Drink Tea](https://onda.me/magazine/22/post/1762)

[2018.11 Black Tea Story (1)](https://onda.me/magazine/23/post/1826)

[2018.12 Black Tea Story (2)](https://onda.me/magazine/24/post/1875)

[2019.01 Black Tea Story (3)](https://onda.me/magazine/25/post/1934)

[2019.02 Black Tea Story (4)](https://onda.me/magazine/26/post/2051)

2019.03 Hiatus

[2019.04 Black Tea Story (4) – 2](https://onda.me/magazine/28/post/2248)

[2019.05 Black Tea Story (4) – 3](https://onda.me/magazine/29/post/2282)

[2019.06 Black Tea Story (5)](https://onda.me/magazine/30/post/2362)

[2019.07 Black Tea Story (6)](https://onda.me/magazine/31/post/2405)

**2019.08 Green Tea Story (1)**

2019.09 Green Tea Story (2)

2019.10 Green Tea Story (3)

2019.11 Green Tea Story (4)

2019.12 Green Tea Story (5)

2020.01~ Herbal Tea Story

![magazineon_vol32_tea](https://zqcfqfqgiyckyhazcfrk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/blog-images/webflow/6316f3f75130788ec2d762dd/65a9fd09927d1b1e8cbda793_62e76772a26fe3513cb104a7_5e94294af70fbb5b7a0fd14b_magazineon_vol32_tea.jpeg)

## [**View the full magazine <<**](http://bit.ly/magazineon32)

## [**Subscribe to the magazine <<**](http://bit.ly/magazinesub)