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Sourced from the Qimen County of Huangshan City, Keemun is a black Chinese leaf that was first produced in 1875. Creating a tea that reveals delicate fruity aromas and a subtly floral fragrance, Keemun is best served without milk or sugar, allowing the winey and fruity flavours to be truly experienced.
Ingredients
China Black Tea
Allergens
While we try to keep to the strictest standards in our treatment of allergens, please be aware that our factory handles nuts, milk and soy ingredients. Please check our ingredients lists for specific information on each tea.
Your Guide to Keemun Tea
Produced exclusively in Qimen County of Huangshan City, in the southern Anhui province of China, Keemun is a relatively modern Chinese black tea.
First produced in 1875, Keemun quickly grew in esteem and became one of the best-known teas to come from China, with a range of varieties including Keemun Mao Feng and Keemun Hao Ya.
Today, Keemun is particularly popular in the West, where it is enjoyed both on its own and as a component in blended teas such as Russian Caravan tea.
Keemun is a wonderfully light tea that offers delicate floral aromas and delicious fruity, slightly winey flavours.
Sections
- The History of Keemun Tea
- How Keemun Tea is Produced
- Types of Keemun Tea
- Reviews of Keemun Tea
- FAQs
The History of Keemun Tea
Keemun tea has a relatively short history, especially when compared with certain similarly popular teas. In 1875, a civil servant by the name of Yu Ganchen was travelling in Fujian province in search of information about the production of black tea, in order to build on the existing production of green teas in Anhui province and to find an alternative that could rival India’s black teas.
Yu Ganchen was successful in this task, and Keemun quickly became one of the first black teas to be exported out of China, as well as one of the country’s most important black teas. Methods of Keemun black tea production were then adopted across the Anhui region.
Keemun tea continues to be produced in Qimen County, where it takes its name from the English-translated spelling of the region, meaning Qimen tea.
How Keemun Tea is Produced
Keemun continues to be produced in Qimen County in southern Anhui, and like many black teas it is made from the Camellia sinensis plant. It is known to be a particularly versatile leaf, forming the base of several blended teas and combining well with a variety of flavour combinations, partly due to its low tannin content.
During the production of Keemun tea, the leaves are plucked and slowly withered during an oxidation process, which removes moisture from the leaves. This process causes the leaves to change colour from green to dark brown, then finally to black, at which point they are crisp to the touch. The leaves are then baked to remove the last of their moisture.
It is also during this oxidation stage that Keemun develops its unique aromas and flavours, revealing delicate fruity notes and a subtle floral fragrance.
Types of Keemun Tea
Keemun Tea
Keemun Tea creates a drink that reveals delicate fruity aromas and a subtly floral fragrance. It is best served without milk or sugar, allowing the winey and fruity flavours to be fully appreciated.
Orchid Tea
The rolled leaves of this quality Keemun loose leaf tea produce a full-bodied aroma reminiscent of wild orchids, while sweet flavours of honey, plum, pine and sesame, together with a beautiful dark amber colour, make it a real treat for tea lovers.
Russian Caravan Tea
Russian Caravan is a pure China black tea, made from a blend of oolong, Keemun and Lapsang Souchong. Offering bold flavours with a hint of Assam, Russian Caravan produces excellent strong, rich teas.
Reviews of Keemun Tea
Below is a selection of comments from customers who have enjoyed Keemun tea.
“A top quality tea with a robust and earthy flavour which never fails to quench the thirst.”
“Really refreshing.”
“I bought this for my wife, who wanted to upgrade from using tea bags at home. She loves the fragrance and flavour of this tea.”
“Rich flavour and good colour.”
“This was my first purchase and I wondered what the quality would be like, but very happy. Also it was the first time I had drunk Keemun for a few years and I had forgotten how much I enjoy it.”
FAQs
What Does Keemun Tea Taste Like?
Keemun is a light but complex tea that offers characteristic flavours of stone fruit and distinct woody aromas, along with subtle malty undertones and a well-balanced finish. Floral fragrances are also present, together with slight honey and oak notes. When brewed, Keemun tea produces a lovely dark amber, almost ruby-red colour.
Because of its low tannin content, Keemun makes a very good base for several blended teas and combines well with a variety of flavour combinations, such as in smoky Russian Caravan tea.
How Should I Prepare Keemun Loose Leaf Tea?
Keemun loose leaf tea is best made with freshly boiled water, preferably filtered or bottled. If using a teapot, first fill it halfway with hot water to warm it through, then carefully pour the water away. Use one rounded teaspoon per person and allow the leaves to steep for 2 to 3 minutes, although you can steep for slightly longer without negatively affecting the flavour of the tea. Brew the leaves at around 90 to 95°C. Keemun tea is usually enjoyed black, although milk can also be added to taste.
Where Can I Buy the Best Keemun Tea?
If you’re looking for high-quality Keemun loose leaf tea, there are fine Keemun varieties available along with a selection of excellent Keemun blended teas.
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All of our teas remain fresh unopened for up to 12 months.