The Acceptance and Development of Tea Culture in the Goryeo Dynasty, which Appeared in Exchanges with Countries in Northeast Asia

Before the establishment of Goryeo, Noewon cha was born as a combination of Buddhism, incense material, and tea, from the triangular trade, the core of the maritime network involving Silla, Wuyue, and the Western regions. Noewon cha was a refined solid tea made with incense material, while Daecha refers to a “general tea,” distinct from Noewon cha. As Goryeo developed exchanges with Northeast Asian countries, Noewon cha was given as a diplomatic gift, a ceremonial offering, or a royal gift for subordinates. During the middle Goryeo period, Chinese teas introduced by the Song merchants became popular among scholars and monks, leading to a diversification of the tea culture. Later, the Jin Dynasty emphasized ceremonial systems, using tea with alcohol, and gradually, Noewon cha disappeared from historical records. After the period of Yuan’s rule, amidst climate change and the threat of epidemics, Noewon cha was briefly reintroduced as the medicinal tea culture emerged. Goryeo’s tea culture, shaped through Buddhism, incense material, and tea, was accepted and utilized. It developed practical and ceremonial characteristics, transforming each historical stage. Goryeo’s tea culture should be understood as a continuous context extending from Silla to Joseon.