Pulmuone Launches 'Noeulhaesim', Korea's First Domestic Gim Variety

Pulmuone's Proprietary Kimchi Cabbage Varieties 'Pulmunoel' and 'Pulmuhaesim' Grafted
Aquaculture Trials Conducted for 6-7 Years from Ongjin in the West Sea to Goheung in the South Sea
Aquaculture Site Selected at Wido, Buan, Jeonbuk, a Clean Area

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Hye-seon] Pulmuone Foods announced on the 21st that it has launched a premium gim (seaweed) called 'Noeul Haesim.'

'Noeul Haesim' is made from Pulmuone's domestically developed first varieties, 'Pulmu Noeul' and 'Pulmu Haesim.' Pulmuone completed the variety protection registration for 'Pulmu Noeul' in 2014, marking the first domestic variety registration in the fisheries sector, followed by 'Pulmu Haesim' in 2015. The name 'Pulmu Noeul' was inspired by the reddish color of gim, reminiscent of the sunset over the West Sea. Additionally, 'Pulmu Haesim' contains higher levels of protein, dietary fiber, iron, and calcium compared to existing varieties.

According to Pulmuone, the company conducted repeated cultivation and breeding tests over 6 to 7 years, from the West Sea off Ongjin to the South Sea off Goheung, to commercialize 'Noeul Haesim.' Due to the nature of gim, which grows from early winter when water temperatures drop until early spring, cultivation can only be done once a year, making the process from variety development to commercialization lengthy. After these efforts, Pulmuone ultimately selected Wido in Buan, Jeollabuk-do, as the gim cultivation site. Wido is an optimal location for gim farming as there are no pollution sources such as ports or industrial complexes within a 20 km radius.

Pulmuone released 'Noeul Haesim' as roasted gim without salt or seasonings to deliver the excellent natural taste of the seeds. 'Noeul Haesim' is produced under Pulmuone's strict quality control. 'Noeul Haesim' will be sold in a limited quantity as a gift set (100g) for the Lunar New Year holiday. The price is 50,000 KRW.

A Pulmuone representative explained, "Most gim cultivated in Korea has been from imported seeds, and since 2012, royalties had to be paid for imported seeds. Pulmuone started developing native gim varieties in 2006 and invested 14 years from development to commercialization to launch 'Noeul Haesim.'"