Seaweed flakes made with Buan LaverThis photo shows seaweed flakes made with Buan Laver, Buan’s special product.
-
LocationBuan-gun, Jeollabuk-do
- CategoryFolk Food ∙ Local Specialties
- Korean부안 김
- Chinese扶安-
- FieldPolitics, Economy and Society / Economy & Industry
- Contents TypeSpecialty
- Definition
- A laver product produced in the area of Buan, Jeollabuk-do.
- Summary
- Laver is cultivated in the coastal area of Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do, particularly in the areas around Wido-myeon, Gomso-ri in Jinseo-myeon, and Gyeokpo-ri in Byeonsan-myeon. Laver, which is also called gim or haetae in Korean, belongs to the Bangiaceae family of red algae. In general, it grows like moss on sunken rocks, and reaches 14 to 15 cm in length and 5 to 12 cm in width. When fully grown, it has a long ovular or egg-like shape, and is reddish brown at the top and blue at the bottom.
- Production Method and Characteristics
- Laver is usually cultivated by floating a buoy and cultivating net or a synthetic fiber net. Raw laver harvested from a seaweed farm is sent to a primary processing factory where it is transformed into dried laver in various stages, including primary washing, removal of foreign materials, cutting, and aging. Then, it is ground by a large grinding machine, and the ground laver is laid over a laver net until it becomes dried laver. Buan’s Laver is well known for a high-quality, alkaline, healthy product that has its own unique scent and savory taste. Porphyrin extracted from laver is effective in strengthening the immune system against germs in the body.
- Current Status including Relevant Industry
- Buan’s laver factories are located in Gyehwa-myeon, Haseo-myeon, Byeonsan-myeon, and Jinseo-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do. In 2020, the production of Buan Laver increased by 14 % compared to the previous year, while sales rose by 38%, recording the best business performance. Notably, Samhae Commercial Co., Ltd., a laver factory in Buan, Jeollabuk-do, is Korea’s largest producer of laver. The company has been researching and developing laver products ever since its establishment in 1968, and exports around 70 to 80% of its products overseas every year. The company has obtained various certifications including ISO 9001, ISO 22000, HACCP, and the United States Department of Agriculture[USDA]’s organic certification. In 2018, it won the $70 Million Export Award, and was also awarded the World’s Best Product certification by the Korean government. It continues to grow as Korea’s best laver company and provides a variety of laver products. Meanwhile, Jeollabuk-do Fisheries Research Institute strives to improve the quality of Buan Laver and ensure its stable production.