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The Gaya kingdom's significance in the development of Korean tea and tea culture are also relayed in an additional, albeit semi-mythical account. The Record of Gaya claims that the legendary queen Heo Hwang-Ok, originally a princess from Ayodhya in India, introduced the camellia sinensis var. assamica to Korea. It was claimed that the tea plant introduced by queen Heo was planted on Baegwol mountain situated near the city of Changwon. Regardless of the aforementioned tale's authenticity, evidence suggests that the first camellia sinensis tea consumed in the Korean peninsula was black tea in the form of bricks and cakes similar to pu'erh as found in China today.

The Gaya kingdom's significance in the development of Korean tea and tea culture are also relayed in an additional, albeit semi-mythical account. The Record of Gaya claims that the legendary queen Heo Hwang-Ok, originally a princess from Ayodhya in India, introduced the camellia sinensis var. assamica to Korea. It was claimed that the tea plant introduced by queen Heo was planted on Baegwol mountain situated near the city of Changwon. Regardless of the aforementioned tale's authenticity, evidence suggests that the first camellia sinensis tea consumed in the Korean peninsula was black tea in the form of bricks and cakes similar to pu'erh as found in China today.

Sometime after this period, Buddhist monks from China began transmitting both the Buddhist religion and Chinese tea culture to the Korean peninsula. Other transmissions and developments in the evolution of early Korean tea culture and the tea ceremony occurred during the Silla dynasty (57 BCE-935 CE). During the reign of Queen Seondeok of Silla two varieties of tea bricks began to be imported into Korea from Tang China.  

Sometime after this period, Buddhist monks from China began transmitting both the Buddhist religion and Chinese tea culture to the Korean peninsula. Other transmissions and developments in the evolution of early Korean tea culture and the tea ceremony occurred during the Silla dynasty (57 BCE-935 CE). During the reign of Queen Seondeok of Silla two varieties of [[Tea brick|tea bricks]] began to be imported into Korea from Tang China.  

Tang China’s interactions with Silla helped to introduce and inform Korean Buddhist tea ceremonies before they eventually started developing into their own uniquely Korean forms as can be witnessed today. Tea and tea culture in Korea continued to flourish during the Goryeo dynasty (918 CE-1392 CE). During national and public rituals, tea ceremonies formed part of the ritual procedures.  

Tang China’s interactions with Silla helped to introduce and inform Korean Buddhist tea ceremonies before they eventually started developing into their own uniquely Korean forms as can be witnessed today. Tea and tea culture in Korea continued to flourish during the Goryeo dynasty (918 CE-1392 CE). During national and public rituals, tea ceremonies formed part of the ritual procedures.  

By the 1200's CE the Korean tea ceremony became heavily influenced by Korean Seon (Korean: 선, Chinese: Chan, Japanese: Zen) Buddhism. The scholar-bureaucrats of the Goryeo era also left an impression on the Korean tea ceremony. Various arts developed around tea-drinking including tea poetry (dasi/다시/茶詩) and special tea meetings (dahoe/다회/茶會). The trends in tea followed the Chinese standards throughout much of Korea's tea culture. Moving from tea bricks to powdered tea similar to matcha, to whole loose leaf tea, which is the form of tea featured in the Korean tea ceremony even in the modern era.

By the 1200's CE the Korean tea ceremony became heavily influenced by Korean Seon (Korean: 선, Chinese: Chan, Japanese: Zen) Buddhism. The scholar-bureaucrats of the Goryeo era also left an impression on the Korean tea ceremony. Various arts developed around tea-drinking including tea poetry (dasi/다시/茶詩) and special tea meetings (dahoe/다회/茶會). The trends in tea followed the Chinese standards throughout much of Korea's tea culture. Moving from tea bricks to powdered tea similar to [[matcha]], to whole loose leaf tea, which is the form of tea featured in the Korean tea ceremony even in the modern era.

A special department was created for overseeing tea drinking and rites during the Goryeo dynasty known as the Tabang which continued into the reign of the incumbent Joseon dynasty. Initially, during the Joseon period which reigned from 1392 until 1910, tea-drinking among the common and lower classes and in the ritual and religious context continued as it had in prior dynastic reigns. The ruling Yi clan even observed a “Day Tea Rite” which was a simple daytime ritual as well as a “Special Tea Rite” which was more elaborate and practiced only for particular occasions.  

A special department was created for overseeing tea drinking and rites during the Goryeo dynasty known as the Tabang which continued into the reign of the incumbent Joseon dynasty. Initially, during the Joseon period which reigned from 1392 until 1910, tea-drinking among the common and lower classes and in the ritual and religious context continued as it had in prior dynastic reigns. The ruling Yi clan even observed a “Day Tea Rite” which was a simple daytime ritual as well as a “Special Tea Rite” which was more elaborate and practiced only for particular occasions.  

Tea rooms or dabang (다방) would become popular establishments during the 1800s, with tea rooms being added onto establishments like grocery stores in the 1920s. After the upheaval and subsequent rebuilding efforts following both the Japanese colonial occupation of Korea and the Korean War, Korean tea, tea culture, and the tea ceremony have all witnessed a marked revival of interest and scholarship. One modern institution, in particular, overseeing the research and promotion of Korean tea culture is the Panyaro Institute for the Promotion of the Way of Tea, which was founded in 1983 in Insa-dong in Seoul.  

Tea rooms or dabang (다방) would become popular establishments during the 1800s, with tea rooms being added onto establishments like grocery stores in the 1920s. After the upheaval and subsequent rebuilding efforts following both the Japanese colonial occupation of Korea and the Korean War, Korean tea, tea culture, and the tea ceremony have all witnessed a marked revival of interest and scholarship. One modern institution, in particular, overseeing the research and promotion of Korean tea culture is the Panyaro Institute for the Promotion of the Way of Tea, which was founded in 1983 in Insa-dong in Seoul.  

Today, one can experience Korean tea culture and tea ceremonies in many locations across South Korea. The Insa-dong area of Seoul features traditional hanok (한옥) style teahouses and cafes where guests can also wear traditional Joseon-era clothing called hanbok (한복). In addition, there are more formal tea ceremonies hosted at Buddhist temples, on holidays or for commemorating particular events and even showcased at cultural festivals or events such as the Tea World Festival hosted in Seoul and at famous tea growing areas in Korea such as Boseong and Hadong counties.

Today, one can experience Korean tea culture and tea ceremonies in many locations across South Korea. The Insa-dong area of Seoul features traditional hanok (한옥) style teahouses and cafes where guests can also wear traditional Joseon-era clothing called hanbok (한복). In addition, there are more formal tea ceremonies hosted at Buddhist temples, on holidays or for commemorating particular events and even showcased at cultural festivals or events such as the Tea World Festival hosted in Seoul and at famous tea growing areas in Korea such as Boseong and Hadong counties.

== Equipment for Korean tea ceremony ==

== Equipment for Korean tea ceremony ==