Exploring Keemun Black Tea: The Queen of Black Tea

This renowned black tea, known for its long history and superior quality, can trace its origins back to the Tang Dynasty, with a production history spanning over 140 years. As a treasured variety of China's traditional Kongfu black tea, it enjoys the titles of "Best of All Teas" and "Queen of Black Teas." Internationally, it is revered as a "premium black tea" and is a favorite among British royalty, including the Queen. Keemun Black Tea stands alongside India's Darjeeling tea and Sri Lanka's Ceylon tea as one of the world's top three aromatic black teas.

The Origin and History of Keemun Black Tea

Keemun Black Tea originates from Qimen County in China's Anhui Province, the natural quality from Lixikou, Shanli, and Pingli areas in Qimen is considered the best.The production of Keemun Black Tea began in the late Qing Dynasty, around 1875 (the first year of Emperor Guangxu's reign).

In the 18th century, as the scale of black tea production expanded and prices became more affordable, black tea consumption spread from the royal family to the general public. Britain not only imported large quantities of black tea from China to meet domestic demand but also re-exported it to American colonies and European countries such as Germany, Sweden, and Denmark.

In 1915, Keemun Black Tea won a gold medal at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, gaining international acclaim.

Subsequently, Keemun Black Tea became popular in Europe and America, particularly favored by the British. It earned numerous accolades, being dubbed the "Queen of Black Tea" and "Hero of Tea" by Western admirers. At that time, Keemun was a luxury item and a status symbol, enjoyed exclusively by royalty and nobility. Eventually, it became a staple in the globally popular English afternoon tea tradition.

Keemun Black Tea Production Techniques

Traditional Keemun Black Tea is entirely handcrafted, and its quality relies heavily on the skill of the maker, hence the name "Keemun Kongfu Tea."

Withering: This is the first and one of the most critical steps in primary processing. Fresh leaves are spread evenly in withering troughs and exposed to sunlight to promote enzyme activity within the leaves. This induces physical and chemical changes in the leaf's internal substances.

Rolling: This step is essential for enhancing the tea's internal qualities and forming the tight, slender appearance characteristic of Keemun Black Tea. The rolling action and pressure shape the withered leaves into strips, while mechanical actions like pulling, pressing, and rubbing cause cell breakage, allowing tea juices to ooze out. This exposure of tea polyphenols to oxygen facilitates the enzymatic oxidation necessary for fermentation.

Fermenting: Fermentation is crucial in developing the unique quality of black tea. It enhances enzyme activity, causing significant chemical changes (mainly in polyphenols) that turn the leaves red. This step involves both the chemical transformation of the tea's internal substances and physical changes in appearance.

Drying: The final step in primary processing is crucial for fixing and enhancing the tea's quality. High-temperature drying stops enzyme activity to prevent over-fermentation and reduces the moisture content to below 7%, aiding in preservation. It also enriches and develops the tea's aroma. The technique involves "high-temperature drying, first high then low," with multiple drying sessions.

The resulting Keemun Black Tea has a lustrous black color, tight and slender strips, and elegant tips. When brewed, it produces a bright red, transparent liquor with a fresh red hue in the leaves.

Characteristics of Keemun Black Tea

Rich Aroma: Keemun Black Tea is renowned for its distinctive fragrance, which can include floral, fruity, or woody notes. These aromas are prominent in the brewed tea and are a key aspect of black tea appreciation.

Bright Orange-Red Color: The tea liquor is typically a vibrant orange-red, making it visually appealing.

Full-Bodied Taste: Keemun Black Tea has a rich, full-bodied flavor, often with a slight sweetness. Unlike the refreshing taste of green or white tea, Keemun Black Tea offers a deeper, more intense flavor profile.

Mild Bitterness and Astringency: This tea may have a mild bitterness and astringency, but these elements are well-balanced with the tea's overall richness, enhancing its complexity rather than overpowering it.

Fully Unfurling Leaves: High-quality Keemun Black Tea leaves will usually unfurl completely when brewed, revealing intact leaves at the bottom of the cup. This is a hallmark of a well-crafted black tea.

Benefits and Effects of Keemun Black Tea

Refreshing and Energizing: The caffeine in Keemun Black Tea stimulates the cerebral cortex, excites the central nervous system, and helps to refresh the mind and alleviate fatigue.
Anti-inflammatory and Antibacterial: The polyphenols in Keemun Black Tea have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, inhibiting various pathogens.
Stomach-Friendly: Unlike some other teas, Keemun Black Tea is fermented and roasted, making it less irritating to the stomach. It can even help in nourishing the stomach.
Diuretic and Detoxifying: The combined effect of caffeine and aromatic substances in Keemun Black Tea increases blood flow to the kidneys, enhances glomerular filtration rate, expands renal microvessels, and inhibits the reabsorption of water by renal tubules. This increases urine output, helping to eliminate lactic acid, uric acid (associated with gout), excess salts (related to hypertension), and harmful substances from the body, as well as alleviate edema caused by heart disease or nephritis.
Strengthens Bones: The polyphenols in Keemun Black Tea (also found in green tea) inhibit the activity of bone-resorbing cells. To prevent osteoporosis, especially common in women, it is recommended to drink a small cup of black tea daily for several years. Adding lemon to black tea can further enhance its bone-strengthening effects, and adding various fruits can provide synergistic benefits.

How to Enjoy Keemun Black Tea

Pure Brew Method: This method involves drinking Keemun Black Tea without any additives, allowing you to fully appreciate its natural aroma and flavor. To prepare:

• Use a ratio of 1:50 tea to water.
• Bring the water to a boil, then add the tea leaves.
• Cover the pot and let it steep for 3-5 minutes.
• Pour and enjoy.

 Blended Brew Method: This method involves adding ingredients to Keemun Black Tea to enhance its flavor and nutritional value. Common additives include milk, sugar, and lemon.

• Milk Tea: Add milk and sugar to the brewed tea to create a sweet and creamy beverage.
• Lemon Tea: Add lemon slices and honey to the tea for a refreshing and zesty drink.

Keemun Black Tea is not only a delicious beverage but also a natural food with rich nutritional value and health benefits. Whether enjoyed pure or blended, it offers a unique charm and promotes wellness.