Doncha

Doncha (Korean: 돈차; lit. "money tea"),^[1] also called jeoncha (전차; 錢茶; lit. "money tea"),^[2] is a coin-shaped post-fermented tea produced in Korea. The tea has been called cheongtae-jeon (청태전; 靑苔錢; lit. "green moss coin") in the Jangheung region in South Jeolla Province.^[3][4]

The history of doncha dates back to the era of Later Silla, when Borimsa (Borim temple) was founded.^[3] The Jangheung region in South Jeolla Province, where the temple is located, was the hub of Korean tea culture during the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties.^[4] 13 out of 19 daso (tea place) in Goryeo were located in the region.^[5]

Tea leaves for doncha are hand-picked in May, from the tea plants that grow wild somewhere on the southern coast of the Korean peninsula.^[6] Although roasting is the most common method of tea processing in Korea,^[7][8] doncha processing starts with steaming the tea leaves.^[9] Twelve hours after the harvest, tea leaves are steamed in a gamasot, a traditional cauldron.^[4][6] Steamed leaves are then pounded in a jeolgu, a traditional mortar, or a maetdol, a traditional millstone.^[3][6] the tea is then shaped into round lumps and sun-dried.^[6] Once dried, a hole is made in the center of each lump of tea and they attain the characteristic shape of yeopjeon (coin) from which their name is derived.^[6] The tea is then fermented for at least six months as aging helps to develop an enriched flavor and aroma, though sometimes fermentation can last for over twenty years.^[4][6]

A lump of doncha, about 7–9 grams (0.25–0.32 oz), can be steeped in 500–600 millilitres (18–21 imp fl oz; 17–20 US fl oz) of hot water for five to ten minutes.^[3] The tea lump is often roasted on both sides over low heat before consumption.^[3][6] Roasting helps with sterilization of the tea leaves, as well as the development of a unique aroma and flavor.^[4] Doncha retains its aroma and flavor after re-steeping three to four times.^[3]

In traditional Korean medicine the tea was thought to help alleviate mild symptoms such as stomach ache, aid detoxification, reduce fever, prevent constipation, and help manage cold symptoms.^[4][6]