Ginseng festival in Geumsan
GINSENG FESTIVAL IN GEUMSAN
If you are a big fan of ginseng, you should certainly not ignore Geumsan Ginseng market – The largest Ginseng market worldwide. This is the most popular gathering place and distribution center of Korean Ginseng with more than 1,300 shops selling ginseng and herbs, which holds 80% of the country’s ginseng market.
The Ginseng of Golden Mountain (Geumsan)
Geumsan city has a favorable geographical position and an excellent natural condition for growing ginseng with the best quality in Korea. Geographically, Geumsan is mostly covered by mountains and valleys so its climate remains dry and cool throughout the year. The average temperature ranges between 0.90C-13.80C, annual rainfall volume is around 1,200mm and less snowy in winter. In addition, the soil in Geumsan is in a clear hierarchy, topsoil is clay containing sand, the subsoil is totally clay … so ginseng grown in Geumsan usually has better quality compared to ginseng grown in the other locals in Chungcheonam-do province, South Korea.
There are three main types of ginseng: fresh ginseng, white ginseng and red ginseng. Fresh ginseng here is classified according to age.
Fresh Ginseng
The red is a kind of ginseng which is made by putting big bulbs of ginseng into the pot for being steamed for about 2 hours and then dried off. When this process is done, ginseng would turn into champagne pink with fragrance and slightly bitter sweetness.
Red Ginseng
Some bulbs which are not eligible for processing into red ginseng will be processed into white ginseng instead. These bulbs is washed and dipped in boiling water for a few minutes. Then, they will be sugared and then dried off at a temperature not exceeding 60 ° C. The final medicinal material is in an ivory white, tastes soft and sweet.
White Ginseng
Many different studies in Ginseng scientific research centers in South Korea shows that Ginseng can help replenishing energy, stimulating digestion and preventing cancer. Therefore, elderly often consume Ginseng to strengthen memory, children consume ginseng to increase immunity, middle – age people consume Ginseng for anti-aging purpose. No published study detects adverse effects of ginseng.
Geumsan Ginseng Festival
Every year, Geumsan – locally famous for the cultivation of ginseng – is in a bustle with foreign tourists from around the world. The festival is mainly taking place at the Geumsan Ginseng Museum.
There is a series of events, fun and exciting activities such as folk music performances, traditional dance, digging ginseng, rice cakes, singing contest, marathon, cooking ginseng, playing quizzes about ginseng. The festival comprises various programs for visitors to experience, from gathering, drying, cutting ginseng to processing Ginseng into food and medicine. In addition, tourists can visit the sauna room and enjoy herbal drink. Tourists can also play Ginseng hunting competition in Geumsan forest.
Information
– Duration: 19/09/2014 (금) ~ 28/09/2014 (일)
(The annual festival is usually held in September)
– Korean Address: 312-701 충청남도 금산군 금산읍 군청 길 13 (상리 25-1)
– Sites of Festival: http://tour.geumsan.go.kr/
– Travel by bus from Seoul: Gangnam to the bus station (강남 터미널) go Geumsan (금산) (2 hour journey).
– Travel by bus from Busan: Go to the bus station Nopodong (노포동 터미널) go Daejeon (대전) after down Daejeon, walk to the bus station to east of Daejeon (동부 시외 터미널) (the bus station is right next to the bus station Daejeon) and catch the bus to go Geumsan (total journey lasts for more than 3 hours)