It’s kimjang season in Korea, and choosing good napa cabbage is key. Many shoppers find black specks on inner leaves or stems and worry they are mold or pests. Officials say these “speckling” marks (깨씨무늬 증상) are a non‑infectious physiological reaction related to nitrogen fertilizer levels during growth, not harmful to humans. Excess or deficient nitrogen can cause tiny dark spots to appear; heavy spotting can reduce commercial value and slightly affect texture, but taste and smell remain largely unchanged. For kimjang, pick cabbage at about 80% head‑formation (“medium heading”) and around 3–3.5 kg per head so salt penetrates well. The Korea Meteorological Administration recommends late this month to early December for best kimchi flavor in Seoul and central inland areas, with coastal and southern regions peaking later in December.
