Mandarin picking in Jeju

December on Jeju Island in South Korea brings a delightful treat for Mandarin lovers like us. It's the peak season for Mandarin picking, and what better way to enjoy it than with my daughters, Jennifer and Kayla?

As we arrived at the mandarin farm on a rainy December afternoon, we could smell the sweet aroma, inviting us to explore the mandarin trees. Jeju Island is known for its abundant mandarin trees, and during this season, the vibrant orange fruits dot the landscape in every direction.

Juggling the fruit basket, umbrella, and fruit snipper, the girls quickly went to work, searching for the juiciest and perfectly ripened mandarins. As we continued picking mandarins, the raindrops increased in intensity. The girls had umbrellas while I was busy (and wet) with my camera, documenting the moment. The dramatic weather always makes for a good photograph! The rain added an unexpected twist to our outing but didn’t bother us.

The farm owner invited us to their house nearby. Rain on the roof created a soothing sound as we settled in, surrounded by crates of freshly picked mandarins. They offered us glasses of the purest mandarin juice, freshly squeezed from the fruits we had just picked. It was as if we were sipping the essence of Jeju Island itself.