The Cultural Heritage Administration will designate the nation’s traditional tea-processing method as intangible cultural asset No. 130.
 
Upon announcing the decision on Tuesday, an administration official explained that the tea production process was recognized as a valuable cultural asset, as it clearly demonstrates Korea’s unique national identity. He added that the nation’s ways to make and savor tea are different from those of other tea-drinking countries.
 
He said that the designation was made based on plenty of relevant records written in times spanning from the ancient Three Kingdoms era through the Joseon Dynasty.
 
The administration also plans to conduct academic research on preserving the traditional tea culture in ways to meet contemporary tastes, while supporting cultural projects that promote the heritage.
 
The agency, however, will not recognize any specific tea maker as a cultural asset, since tea farms are widespread in the south of the Korean Peninsula and various tea-processing techniques are in use. 

It is the second time an intangible cultural asset was named without crediting specific technique owners, following the designation of the folk song “Arirang" last year.