During the Geumsan International Ginseng Festival held from October 6th to 15th, the TourDure in the Geumsan-gun(country), supported by the Daejeon and Chungnam Branch of the Korea Tourism Organization, organized and held a ginseng digging-related program for about 70 families of US soldiers stationed in Korea on October 14. The program lasted for about an hour from 2:30 p.m. and included digging for ginseng, making ginseng syrup, and tasting ginseng fries and pancakes. First, the US Army families participated in a ginseng digging experience at the farm site. They visited the site one by one with gloves and tools, dug the soil, and brought it out. To make more fun of their first experience of digging up the ginseng, they were allowed to dig up three or four ginseng roots each, so the children, in particular, enjoyed harvesting ginseng as they had the unique experience of digging into the soil, finding ginseng, and taking it out with tools with the help of their adult family members.
Since ginseng digging is just for fun, the ginseng they dug up can not be taken for free and had to be returned to the program organizer. If they want to take ginsengs home, they have to purchase them. Many participants showed interest in the ginseng that was washed and displayed, and after asking various questions and bargaining, they soon began to purchase a large amount of ginseng.
Next, in the ginseng syrup-making program, they proceeded to cut and put several ginseng pieces into previously prepared plastic bottles containing syrup, along with jujubes and honey, and seal it. Making ginseng syrup in this way is known to enhance its taste and medicinal efficacy by fermenting fresh ginseng, jujube, and honey. Participants finished this experience by attaching a Geumsan ginseng sticker to the bottle and writing their name on it. Participants could take the sealed plastic bottle of ginseng extract as a souvenir and were told that the syrup would be in the best condition for consumption after about 5 days.
Besides those experiences, participants enjoyed tasting ginseng fries pancakes, and chocolates, and the ginseng pancake was especially popular for its bitter yet sweet texture and taste.
Kim Jeong-ah, branch manager of the Korea Tourism Organization, who supported this ginseng digging program, said, “Korean ginseng, which has long been the most popular medicinal herb in Asia, is expected to become very popular not only in Asia but also in Western countries.” while stressing that she will make joint support with related organizations to promote the ginseng digging program in Geumsan-gun.
