Chinese Black Tea

In the 1800s, Chinese black tea was extremely popular in European countries, leading to a significant rise in tea prices. At that time, the British sought more affordable tea and began producing black tea in their colonies in India, such as Darjeeling and Assam, by imitating the Chinese tea-making process.

At HOJO, we specialize in two main types of Chinese black tea.

Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong (Lapsang Souchong)
Yunnan Black Tea

Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong is a black tea from Tong Mu Guan in Wuyi Mountain, Fujian Province. It is known as the oldest black tea in the world and was the tea that sparked the tea craze in Britain, serving as the model for Earl Grey tea.

Although Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong is often associated with a smoky flavor, high-quality types have a floral and tropical fruit fragrance without any smokiness. It is a tea that truly showcases the prowess of Chinese black tea and is highly recommended for tea enthusiasts.

In contrast to the artistic tea-making techniques used for Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong, Yunnan black tea is distinguished by the exceptional quality of its raw materials. At HOJO, we specialize in teas grown at altitudes over 2000 meters from trees over 100 years old, cultivated naturally without any pesticides or fertilizers. Tea grown under these conditions develops slowly, resulting in densely packed cells rich in polyphenols and minerals. This process creates a tea with a long-lasting aftertaste and extremely rich flavor.