Jeju Summer, Embracing Health with Unripe Tangerines

Amidst the vibrant scenery of summer in Jeju, we often picture the region as the home of tangerines. However, there is an even more special presence found only during this season: the "unripe tangerine." Unripe tangerines are open-field tangerines harvested early during the short period between August 1st and September 15th, before they are fully ripe. They are not merely unripe tangerines, but functional agricultural products specially cultivated and managed for their specific health benefits. While they resemble green tangerines in appearance, they are fundamentally different. If green tangerines primarily refer to Jeju's native varieties, unripe tangerines are functional varieties with a clear harvesting time and purpose. Containing more than twice the amount of citric acid, flavonoids, narirutin, and hesperidin found in fully ripened tangerines, unripe tangerines offer various health benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, fatigue recovery, and liver function improvement properties. There is a unique way to experience these unripe tangerines, with their distinct functionality and uniqueness, most vividly: through experiential programs where you can harvest them yourself and make unripe tangerine syrup with your own hands. Beyond simple tourism, a special opportunity to experience Jeju's agriculture and healthy food culture is taking place in Jeju this season.