A Study on Private Sector’s Tea Production and Distribution in the First Half of Joseon Era

This study examined the tea production and distribution by the private sector in the first half of the Joseon era. After researching various government-issued geography sections, history records, and tea poems, evidence of tea production and distribution by the private sector was found. National geography sections listed 32-35 tea production areas in Gyeongnam and Jeonra province, but other areas also produced teas according to tea poems. On the other hand, a certain region was listed as a tea production area on the national record whenin fact, it was no longer. Teas produced were distributed in tea shops, tea merchants, and markets. In addition, some scholars and temples produced teas and shared them as the form of a present. These findings suggest that, although there is insufficient direct information on tea production and distribution, enough evidence was found to assume tea production and distribution from the private sector encompassing teas for the central government and general use.