In the vast array of famous Chinese teas, Keemun black tea stands out with its unique charm and flavor, becoming the sole representative of black tea among the top ten famous teas. Today, let's delve into the world of Keemun black tea and explore its history, characteristics, production techniques, and methods of appreciation.
I. The Historical Origins of Keemun Black Tea
Keemun black tea, commonly abbreviated as Keemun, is produced in the area around Qimen County in Anhui Province, China. This region is located at the foot of Mount Huang, with beautiful landscapes and a naturally endowed environment. The history of Keemun black tea can be traced back to the Guangxu period of the Qing dynasty. At that time, the main type of tea in the Qimen region was Green Tea, but due to fierce competition in the green tea market, tea farmers began experimenting with black tea production to break through. After years of exploration and practice, Keemun black tea gradually developed its own unique production techniques and quality characteristics, earning widespread praise.
II. Characteristics of Keemun Black Tea
Appearance: The strands of Keemun black tea are tight, fine, and uniform, with a lustrous dark color and a precious golden down. Each leaf seems to tell its own story, filled with historical vicissitudes and cultural heritage.
Aroma: What Keemun black tea is most renowned for is its unique “Keemun fragrance.” This aroma is rich and enduring, a blend of caramel and apple scents with a hint of Orchid fragrance. When brewed, the aroma fills the room, captivating those who experience it.
Taste: Keemun black tea has a mellow and sweet taste, melting in the mouth with an endless aftertaste. Its liquor is bright and transparent red, like amber, pleasing to the eye. When sipping, one can feel the smoothness and richness of the tea, as if immersed in nature amidst mountains and rivers.
III. Production Techniques of Keemun Black Tea
The production techniques of Keemun black tea are exquisite and complex, with each step embodying the wisdom and hard work of tea farmers. From picking, withering, rolling, fermentation to drying, every process requires meticulous handling to produce high-quality Keemun black tea.
Picking: The standards for picking Keemun black tea are very strict, usually focusing on one bud with two or three leaves. Picking typically occurs in the early morning or evening to avoid the impact of direct sunlight on the quality of the leaves.
Withering: After picking, the fresh leaves need to undergo a period of withering to lose some of their moisture, laying the foundation for subsequent rolling and fermentation.
Rolling: Rolling is one of the key steps in the production of Keemun black tea. Through rolling, the leaves take on an initial shape and the tea juices are squeezed out and evenly distributed. During this process, the oils in the leaves are more likely to appear on the surface, giving the finished tea a darker and more lustrous color.
Fermentation: Fermentation is the most distinctive step in the production of Keemun black tea. Under suitable temperature and humidity conditions, chemical components in the leaves undergo oxidation reactions, forming the characteristic color, aroma, and taste of black tea. The degree of fermentation control is crucial; too light or too heavy can affect the quality of the leaves.
Drying: Drying is the final step in the production of Keemun black tea. Through drying or roasting, the moisture in the leaves is gradually removed to achieve preservation and stabilize quality. Dried Keemun black tea has tightly bound strands, a dark lustrous color, and an inviting aroma.
IV. How to Appreciate Keemun Black Tea
Observe the Tea Color: High-quality Keemun black tea has a bright, transparent red liquor, akin to amber. If the tea liquor appears pale or dark, it may indicate lower quality.
Savor the Aroma: When appreciating Keemun black tea, carefully smell its aroma. High-quality Keemun black tea has a rich, lasting aroma with a blend of caramel and apple scents and a hint of orchid fragrance. If the aroma is faint or has an off-odor, it may indicate quality issues.
Taste the Flavor: When appreciating Keemun black tea, savor its taste. High-quality Keemun black tea has a mellow, sweet taste and an endless aftertaste. If the taste is bitter or has impurities, it may indicate lower quality.
Inspect the Leaf Bottom: After tasting the tea liquor, observe the condition of the leaf bottom. High-quality Keemun black tea has a bright, consistent red leaf bottom. If the leaf bottom appears dull or damaged, it may indicate quality issues.
V. Conclusion
As the sole representative of black tea among the top ten famous Chinese teas, Keemun black tea has earned widespread praise for its unique “Keemun fragrance” and mellow taste. Savoring Keemun black tea is not only a pleasure but also a way to carry on cultural traditions and engage in spiritual exchange.