(Haenam=Yonhap News) Reporter Cho Geon-yeong = The harvest of Haenam County's specialty crop, sebal-namul, has begun.
Sebal-namul is a unique fresh vegetable that can only be enjoyed in the winter, with its leaves growing thin and long, hence the name sebal-namul.
According to Haenam County on the 29th, sebal-namul is produced on 18 hectares in the area centered around Yeorak Village in Munnae-myeon, yielding over 1,740 tons annually and generating about 2 billion won in annual income, making it a beneficial crop for the region.
Originally growing wild in coastal areas such as reclaimed land with remaining saltiness, sebal-namul was known as a winter delicacy for only those living near the sea, but in 2006, Haenam succeeded in cultivating it for the first time, establishing it as a winter vegetable.
Rich in various vitamins, minerals, and fiber, sebal-namul helps balance nutrition during the winter when fresh vegetables are scarce, and because it grows on the beach, it contains large amounts of calcium, potassium, and natural minerals.
With a crisp texture and natural saltiness, it can be eaten raw in salads or slightly cooked as a vegetable without the need for seasoning.
Haenam sebal-namul is cultivated with eco-friendly, pesticide-free methods, ensuring uniform quality, clean appearance, and high nutritional value, texture, and storage capacity, boasting the highest quality in the nation.
A county official said, "The county will continue to improve the competitiveness of Haenam sebal-namul through on-site technical research and the dissemination of new technologies to enhance its quality and increase farmers' income."