What is the Keemun Flavor that Once Captivated the British Royal Family?
Keemun black tea is one of the three most famous black teas in the world (alongside Sri Lankan Uva and Darjeeling) and is produced in China.
Historically, Keemun black tea was immensely popular overseas, especially in the UK, where it gained a significant following and was even favored by the British Royal Family. It is a traditional Chinese black tea with a rich heritage.
Today, Keemun black tea is widely available from many suppliers in China. However, HOJO is committed to accurately reproducing the "high-grade Keemun" quality by focusing on the "original production area" and "original cultivar."
High-quality Keemun black tea does not have a smoky aroma. The tea leaves are very delicate and fine, with a floral scent and rich, thick flavor, making it enjoyable even for those who are not typically fans of black tea.
Keemun black tea is one of the famous black teas. Fine grade Keemun black tea is not smoky at all. It gives a sweet dried fruity note like dates with a hint of sweet floral note. It has a bold drinking sensation with a sweet lingering taste, no bitterness, or astringency. It is suitable for anyone, even for those who seldom drink black tea.
Keemun is a historically reputed black tea in China. It was produced during the Qing Dynasty in Keemun County (祁门县 Qi-men Xian) and surrounding areas in Anhui Province (安徽省 An-hui Sheng). It is said that Keemun was inspired by the famous black tea in Fujian, believed to be Lapsang Souchong. In the past, Keemun was mainly exported and highly appreciated overseas, especially in Britain and the United States. The tea leaf is slender and fine, giving a sugary flavor with a sweet flowery scent and a thick and mellow taste. These distinctive characteristics have gained much attention in the international tea profession. During 1939-1940, the price of Keemun at the New York trade center recorded the highest figure; it was the most expensive tea at that time, and only the upper class could afford it. The Imperial and Noble Families treated it as a fashionable beverage. It is said that Keemun was presented to Queen Victoria as a Gift Tea on her birthday. In the US, it was the everyday tea for President Roosevelt and his spouse. Up to date, it is one of the three major black teas in the world, along with Darjeeling Tea from India and Uva Black Tea from Sri Lanka. HOJO particularly focuses on Keemun from the original production area, i.e., Qi-men area, which is located in the provincial nature preserve park in Anhui Province. The genuine cultivar is 槠叶种 (Zhu-ye-zhong). Many other cultivars are used to produce Keemun, but different cultivars in other growing environments and different kinds of manufacturing know-how make them different in quality from the original Keemun produced in the Qi-men area. In addition, we choose no-pesticide tea as our standard.
History and Culture
Keemun was first made in 1875 in Keemun County (祁门县 Qi-men Xian) in Anhui Province (安徽省 An-hui Sheng). During the early Qing Dynasty, Keemun County was famous for producing green tea. In the beginning of the Qing Dynasty, the process of black tea was developed in Fujian Province. The increasing popularity of black tea in the overseas market caused a boom in black tea production in Anhui Province. Due to its high profit margin, tea merchants started to influence farmers to produce black tea. It was mainly exported, with Britain being one of its main importers, along with France, the US, Germany, and others. Once, in 1939-1940, Keemun recorded the highest selling price at the wholesale market in New York City compared to other famous black teas, e.g., India and Ceylon black tea. Keemun black tea gives a fresh sweet sugary flavor with a scent of flowery note; its long-lasting aromatic flavor has gained much attention. Up to date, it enjoys equal popularity and fame as Darjeeling Tea from India and Uva Black Tea from Sri Lanka. The Imperial and Noble Families treated it as a fashionable beverage and presented it as a Gift Tea on special occasions.
Keemun black tea has been awarded many times at international and domestic tea contests. The main awards are:
1913: Keemun black tea was awarded the Gold Prize at the Expo held in Italy.
1915: It won the Gold Prize during the Expo (万国博览会) held in Panama.
1987: During the 26th World Premium Food Product Contest held in Belgium, Keemun won the gold prize.
1988: Keemun was awarded the gold prize during the 1st Food Expo in China.
Aroma of Keemun Black Tea
High-quality Keemun black tea is often praised for its rose-like aroma and a subtle honey scent. Our Keemun black tea is aged anaerobically for a certain period to enhance its floral sweetness. Compared to fresh tea, aging dramatically improves the aroma, which is one of the intriguing aspects of Keemun black tea.
