복정백차의 제다기술 기반 문화산업 활용 연구

Abstract

Fuding white tea, originating from Fuding City in Fujian Province, China, has gained global recognition for its refined processing methods, extended aging capacity, and increasing medicinal value. With recent designations as both a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage and a FAO Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS), Fuding white tea represents a convergence of traditional knowledge, regional identity, and industrial innovation. In contrast, Korean tea culture has largely centered on green tea, and research on white tea remains limited in both academic and commercial contexts. A comparative and strategic investigation into the case of Fuding white tea is thus necessary for the expansion of Korea’s tea culture industry. This study aims to analyze Fuding white tea as a multi-dimensional model of cultural industry, focusing on its production techniques, aging-related storage technologies, medicinal applications, and brand strategies. The research is based on document analysis of Chinese academic sources, industrial reports, and cultural heritage data. Findings reveal that the structured differentiation in cultivars, storage methods such as lime and charcoal preservation, and time-based branding (e.g., 3-year vs. 15-year products) enable Fuding white tea to function simultaneously as a traditional beverage, a medicinal product, and a premium cultural good. Its integration of tea-making, storytelling, packaging design, and experiential marketing reinforces its standing in both local economies and global markets. This case study suggests that Korean tea producers may adopt a similar integrative model to develop premium white tea products, combining regional cultural assets, functional health claims, and differentiated branding for global positioning.