Our ginseng
Seeded on the mountain, raised by nature.
What is sanyangsam?
Sanyangsam is ginseng sown as seed or young root inside the forest and left to grow in the wild — no shade structures, no fertiliser, no pesticides. Where farmed ginseng is raised under shade cloth in fields and lifted after four to six years, sanyangsam grows slowly on the mountain for seven years or more; it is the same plant long known as jangnoesam. Korean forestry law designates it a specially managed forest product, so every root is traced from planting to sale and may only be sold after passing quality inspection.
Growth stages
Sanyangsam develops leaves and roots over several years after germination, then flowers and fruits in maturity, scattering its seeds. In its later years the root grows denser still.
Fruit → seed
Germination
The husk is removed from the fruit and the seeds are sorted.
Year 1
Early growth
A shoot emerges with three leaves on a single stem.
Year 3
Leaf & root development
Two or three rhizome scars form, with three to five leaflets whorled at the stem tip.
Year 7
Stem & leaf expansion
Rhizome scars and rings multiply, tissue grows denser, and three to five leaves crown a single stem.
Year 13
Maturity
Rhizome scars and rings lengthen and the plant carries six or seven leaves.
Showroom exhibit — growth stages of Pyeongchang sanyangsam
Pyeongchang ginseng in the records
Pyeongchang was a state-managed source of wild ginseng during the Joseon dynasty. Old records attest to it.
Joseon
Samsan Bongpyo stele
A stone marker forbidding public entry and harvesting, erected to protect major wild-ginseng grounds. It stands on the Gariwangsan ridge in Daehwa-myeon, Pyeongchang.
1530
Sinjeung Dongguk Yeoji Seungnam
Ginseng is listed among Pyeongchang's local products.
1718
Annals of King Sukjong
The Gwandong region sent some 60 geun of ginseng as tribute each spring and autumn.
1751
Taengniji
Ginseng in Gangwon grew in the deep valleys west of Daegwallyeong — today's Pyeongchang, Inje and Jeongseon.
Tradition
Samjedan (National Folk Museum)
Gatherers held rites to the mountain deity before and after harvesting, praying for success and safety.
Folk custom
Jinbu gatherers' mountain rite
A village custom from Odaesan, where families lived by gathering wild ginseng and herbs. The gatherers' rite to the mountain deity survives today.
Legend
Noinbong legend, Odaesan
A legend of Noinbong in Doam-myeon, Pyeongchang: an old man appeared to a kind-hearted gatherer and showed him where the wild ginseng grew.
Cultivation sites
Five sites across Pyeongchang County.
- 1Heungjeong-ri, Bongpyeong-myeon90,000㎡
- 2Deokgeo-ri, Bongpyeong-myeon6,110㎡
- 3Gaesu-ri, Daehwa-myeon23,000㎡
- 4Sin-ri, Daehwa-myeon30,000㎡
- 5Gyechon-ri, Bangnim-myeon21,000㎡
Designations
- Private seed-collection site — Korea Forestry Promotion Institute
- Certified superior grower — Korea Forestry Promotion Institute
- Wild-ginseng monitoring site — Forest Science Institute
