Harvesting Hallabong

Tangerines are one of Jeju's top exports and additionally contribute a great deal to the culture and character of the island. There are several primary varieties of oranges grown on Jeju, and the hallabong seems to be the most coveted of the lot. The name hallabong comes from this massive orange's resemblance to Hallasan, the volcano which stands at the center of Jeju-Do. Despite it's impressive size, the hallabong is quite as sweet as one might expect a small orange to be - there is just more of it to go around. Ever since I learned of the importance of tangerines to Jeju's identity and economy I have wanted to be part of the harvesting process. This morning Master O asked a couple of his students to lend a hand at his parents' hallabong farm. I greeted the morning excited to smell the fresh citrus as I pulled it right from the tree, however the students were given the task of hauling orange crates and preparing them to be filled with the valuable fruit. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the experience of spending the morning in greenhouses with a couple of fellow Kuk Sool Won students and an army of ajumas.