Keemun tea

From Free net encyclopedia

(Difference between revisions)

Current revision

Template:Infobox Tea Template:Tea map china province Keemun is a black Chinese tea with a winey and fruity taste, with depth and complexity. Keemun is produced in the Qimen (祁门 qímén) precinct of Anhui province in central China. 'Keemun' was actually the English name for 'Qimen' during the colonial era.

Keemun has a relatively short history. It was first produced in 1875 by a failed civil servant, Yu Quianchen, after he travelled to Fujian province to learn the secrets of black tea production. Prior to that, only green tea was made in Anhui. The result exceeded his expectations, and the excellent Keemun tea quickly gained popularity in England, and became the most prominent ingredient of the English Breakfast tea blend.

1 Tasting and brewing
2 Varieties
3 References

[edit]

Tasting and brewing

The aroma of Keemun is fruity, with hints of pine (like in Lapsang souchong) and floweriness (but not at all as florid as Darjeeling tea) which creates the very distinctive and balanced taste. Keemun contains less caffeine than Assam tea. The tea can have a more bitter taste and the smokiness can be more defined depending on the variety.

Keemun is typically enjoyed without milk or sugar; however it goes well with milk as well.

[edit]

Varieties

Keemun Mao Feng: A variety, where Mao Feng means Fur Peak, which is made of only slightly twisted leaf buds and is sometimes noted for a smoother and different flavor. Many people prefer to brew the tea for a considerable amount of time, in fact up to 7 minutes, while using a smaller quantity in order to bring out more interesting tones in the tea.

Keemun Xin Ya: The early bud variety, it is said to have less bitterness.

Keemun Hao Ya: A variety known for its fine buds, sometimes showing prominent amounts of silver tips, and is generally the highest grade. In itself Hao Ya is sometimes separated into A and B, where A is the better grade.

Hubei Keemun: Not a true Keemun, but variety that comes from the Hubei Province west of Anhui but the tea is said to have similar qualities to the Anhui Keemun.

[edit]