The Red Summer of Ganjeolgot Tomatoes

Original source: blog.naver.com

Comments 0 Views 12 Date 2026-09-08 10:30

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"Tomatoes ripened even redder than the sun at Ganjeolgot have been harvested."

In Ulsan's Ulju-gun, Seosang-myeon, the summer sun shines fiercely. In the fields along the way to Jinha Beach, ripe red tomatoes hang abundantly.

This is not a greenhouse. These are Ganjeolgot's outdoor tomatoes, grown under the sea breeze, soaking up the intense summer sunlight and rain.

Recently, a pleasant guest arrived to recognize the taste of these tomatoes. It was KBS's flagship program, '6 o'clock My Hometown.'

The production team visited the farm and processing facility, capturing everything from tomato harvesting to juice processing and a special meal prepared with tomatoes.

Shall we go meet the 'red summer' nurtured by the sunlight and winds of Ganjeolgot?

Ganjeolgot's outdoor tomatoes are promoted vigorously by the couple Hong Jong-pil and Moon Gun-ja.

These tomatoes can only be enjoyed for two months. Nowadays, we can find various fruits and vegetables all year round, almost forgetting the seasons. However, the Ganjeolgot Tomato Cooperative waits for nature's time.

Ganjeolgot tomatoes are harvested intensively from late June to early August, about two months of the year. Although the production volume is limited, the rich flavor of sun-ripened tomatoes is its charm.

Taking a bite of a freshly picked tomato fills your mouth with its juicy and sweet-tart flavor. Chairman Hong Jong-pil describes the appeal of Ganjeolgot tomatoes like this:

"Outdoor tomatoes are cultivated by nature. The deeper the flavor, the more it rewards the sunlight received, which is its greatest charm."

The sunlight, wind, soil of Ganjeolgot, and the farmer's patience are all encapsulated in a single tomato.

There is a reason they don't just keep planting tomatoes. The secret to delicious tomatoes begins with nurturing healthy soil. They utilize crop rotation, alternating tomatoes with local produce like red potatoes, to prevent soil issues and maintain its vitality.

This year, approximately 900 pyeong of a 1,200 pyeong field was planted with tomatoes, while the remaining area grew red potatoes. Even if it requires more effort, they believe that good produce comes from healthy soil.

Before growing good tomatoes, they prioritize preserving good land. The taste of Ganjeolgot tomatoes is infused with this philosophy of the farmers.

Not all harvested tomatoes are perfectly shaped. What happens to the slightly irregular or unsold ones? In Ganjeolgot, they are not discarded.

They transform into 100% tomato juice at the processing facility operated by the cooperative, utilizing the whole tomato, including skin and seeds, to maximize its natural flavor.

After the broadcast, the demand for the tomato juice increased nationwide. Farmers enhance the value of their harvest by creating new products instead of discarding them based on marketability, showcasing the strengths of a community business that connects production, processing, and sales of local produce.

In the fields, they grow crops; in the processing plant, they create products; and in the community, they generate income. It’s a fruitful cycle where not a single tomato is wasted.

During the filming of KBS's '6 o'clock My Hometown,' a special meal featuring local produce was presented by Moon Gun-ja, the representative of Ganjeolgot Horticultural Healing House. From tomato curry to spaghetti and refreshing tomato salad, a feast of 'Ganjeolgot's summer' was prepared.

It’s a scene of local consumption, where freshly harvested produce is cooked and enjoyed right in the area.

So, let go of the notion that tomatoes are only for eating raw. The transformations of tomatoes on the table can be quite delightful.

The Ganjeolgot Tomato Cooperative is a village enterprise designated by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. The members work together to produce, process, and sell agricultural products, enhancing the value of local agriculture.

In addition to tomatoes, they also support the expansion of markets for red potatoes and pickled cabbage produced locally.

Last year, they participated in a promotional and sales event organized by the Ministry, introducing Ulsan's agricultural products to consumers and sharing the story of Ganjeolgot's outdoor tomatoes nationwide.

Chairman Hong Jong-pil expressed his aspirations, saying, "We believe that good produce is made by nature. I hope more people recognize the special taste of Ganjeolgot's outdoor tomatoes and the value of our village enterprise through this broadcast."

What comes to mind when you think of Ganjeolgot? The place where the sun rises first in Korea, the blue sea, and the white lighthouse. This summer, remember one more thing: the outdoor tomatoes ripening in the sea breeze.

Each tomato contains sunlight, wind, and the sweat of farmers preserving the land. It tells the story of people who produce and process agricultural products and shape the future of the village.

Thus, Ganjeolgot tomatoes are not just 'delicious tomatoes.' The tomatoes grown by farmers become products of the village, and these village products help promote Ulsan.

As you head towards Ganjeolgot, now welcoming the cool autumn, remember a piece of summer nurtured by the sunlight and sea breeze of Ulsan.