Hadong County Opens Tea Center in Manhattan
The New York Hadong Tea Culture Center opened in the Nomad district to promote Korean tea to American consumers.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Tea
Live Poll
Would you buy specialty tea from a regional Korean county?
Hadong County opened the New York Hadong Tea Culture Center at the TEO Nomad complex in Manhattan's Nomad district on November 2, local time. The center permanently exhibits and sells Ujeon, Sejak, and Jaksal-cha teas.
Why it matters
The county aims to solidify the national brand image of Korea tea as Hadong tea by highlighting its historical and cultural significance. The center follows an MOU signed in April 2024 and a mutual cooperation agreement signed in March 2025.
Hadong County developed five exclusive blended tea recipes, including Seomjingang Sunset Black Tea, in July. The Hadong Tea & Bio Industry Promotion Agency has exported over 3 tons of powdered green tea annually, generating sales of 267 million Korean won.
The players
Hadong County
A county in South Korea's Gyeongsangnam-do province, known for cultivating tea in the foothills of Jirisan for over 1,200 years.
The details
The county held a grand opening ceremony followed by an unveiling ceremony. Hadong County plans to expand its sales network to local cafes, restaurants, and distribution companies in New York.
Timeline
April 2024: Hadong County signed a memorandum of understanding.
March 2025: Hadong County signed a mutual cooperation agreement.
November 2, 2026: The New York Hadong Tea Culture Center opened.
Culture Shift
Hadong wild tea holds a UNESCO FAO Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System designation, and the New York center extends that heritage recognition into a commercial presence abroad. The move positions Korean tea as a cultural product in a Western market rather than only an agricultural export.
Readers in New York may find Hadong teas in local cafes and restaurants as the county expands its sales network. Buyers can sample Ujeon, Sejak, and Jaksal-cha teas at the Nomad center.
The takeaway
Korean teas such as Hadong's are gaining a dedicated retail presence abroad, offering tea drinkers a chance to explore regional varieties beyond commodity brands. Visiting or sampling through local distributors is a practical way to try them.
Further reading
Explore more on Tea for background on Korean and global tea traditions.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 조선일보.
Live Poll
Would you buy specialty tea from a regional Korean county?
