About HANPOONGSAM
Contract Farming
The Punggi Ginseng Farm is using a cultivation method that involves suspending cultivation for 1 to 2 years for quality ginseng cultivation, and then transplanting seedlings for cultivation. By using this cultivation know-how, they are producing high-quality 6-year-old ginseng through contract farming management.Contract farming is one of the methods widely used to guarantee stable supply of agricultural products. Through the contract between the producer and the demander, crops are produced to meet the demander's requirements, which ensures stable pricing and supply.
The ginseng produced through contract farming by Punggi Ginseng Farm is of high quality, and is provided to consumers stably. This benefits both producers and consumers.
Punggi Ginseng Farm
A study of the soil and climate of the Punggi region during the Joseon Dynasty's King Jungjong era found that not only did wild ginseng grow abundantly, but it was also the most suitable place for ginseng cultivation. Punggi was the first place to collect wild ginseng seeds and start ginseng cultivation, and this tradition continues to this day. Records from the Joseon Dynasty indicate that only Punggi ginseng was favored by the royal court.
"Yangjik Myo" Technique
Punggi, the first to open the door to ginseng cultivation, is managing the quality of its ginseng through contract farming that introduces the Yangjik seedling technique, and is developing the highest quality product using its technique to preserve the efficacy of the active ingredient, ginsenoside, in the excellent Punggi ginseng that it cultivates.
By using the Yangjik seedling production technique to preserve the efficacy of the active ingredient, Punggi was able to successfully produce and export concentrated red ginseng extract products to the United States for the first time in 2022. Currently, 130 farms are under contract to cultivate seedlings on 490 acre of land, reducing production costs by $5 million per year.
Yangjik seedlings are grown by mixing natural soil and medicinal soil in a 3:1 ratio to make a soil bed and then sowing seeds on top of it. This cultivation method makes it possible to suppress plant diseases and pests, prevent various diseases, and reduce production costs through the use of organic fertilizers such as de-oiled rapeseed or rice bran, making it an environmentally friendly cultivation method.
Raw Ginseng Roots
We directly harvest 6-year-old ginseng that we cultivate ourselves and transport it to the factory on the same day for sorting and selection. We carry out all the tasks from field preparation to ginseng harvesting at our contracted cultivation site.
For ginseng cultivation, we specialize in producing for processing, rather than for sale as raw ginseng, with the goal of increasing the amount of ginsenosides. We prioritize ginseng quality over size. This can be seen in the high levels of ginsenosides found in our concentrated extract.
Unprocessed Red Ginseng Roots
We select thick ginseng among 6-year-old ginseng and use it for processing. The ginseng processing involves steaming, 1st machine drying, natural drying, and aging process. Before processing, we conduct the root washing, pulverizing, and trimming process. (For thick roots, extraction process is necessary after cutting.) Thick 6-year-old ginseng has a unique taste that is less bitter and more sweet and savory. Therefore, it has a high starch content and requires processing using a centrifugal separator.
The cultivation process
1. Cultivation site management:
Ginseng cannot be cultivated for two consecutive years in the same soil because it absorbs all the good nutrients from the ground while growing. Therefore, at Punggi Ginseng Farm, we manage the cultivation site for 1-2 years before planting ginseng to create an optimal environment.
2. Ginseng roots transplanting:
By cultivating ginseng through the transplantation of ginseng seedling, high-quality ginseng with excellent quality is grown.
While the most of red ginseng roots are directly cultivated from sowing ginseng seeds into the soil, Punggi red ginseng roots, grown from seedling ginseng, are transplanted and cultivated for a year by sowing ginseng seeds in the field.
3. Six years of cultivation management:
We are a place where high-quality ginseng is cultivated through 6 years of dedicated management and the expertise in ginseng cultivation passed down for three generations spanning over 50 years. Honesty in cultivation management is the key to producing premium ginseng.
Weeding Operation
Fruit Management
4. Harvesting 6-year-old ginseng roots from the field at Punggi Ginseng Farm:
October is the optimal harvesting season to obtain high-quality ginseng. Starting from early October, when the leaves and stems begin to dry, the ginseng develops its full size and nutrients are transported to the roots, resulting in an increase in saponin content.
5. Sorting, cleaning, and selection after classification:
After completing the excavation, only high-quality ginseng is manually and professionally classified, washed, and selected for use.
6. Steaming and natural drying:
Steaming is the process of steaming ginseng. After that, the moisture of the ginseng is maintained at around 15% and dried. Through natural drying, the ginseng is aged and its color is developed, creating a smooth and rich taste and aroma.
7. Trimming:
The process of separating and trimming the body and roots of ginseng
8. Cutting process:
Removing the stem and cutting evenly for optimal extraction.
9. Extraction and Processing:
Extracting and concentrating for more than 72 hours at low temperature is necessary to avoid the destruction of ginsenoside components during high-temperature extraction.
10. Quality control:
All of our products go through both internal and external testing, including residual pesticide testing for raw materials, before being released for distribution.
