Imperial Keemun Tea Introduction

Keemun (also known as Qimen or Qimen Hong Cha) is a popular black tea that was introduced in the 19th century and has been grown exclusively in Qimen County ever since. It is often considered to be a lighter black tea than many of its counterparts, with small orchid-like hints and aroma. Keemun belongs to the list of ten most famous teas in China and it has been increasingly popular in the West as well. Tea lovers around the world adore it for its incredible aromatic fragrance and unique taste. Let’s find out more about this delicious black tea!

Tea Details

Taste and Smell Profile

• Flavor: Malty and unsweetened cocoa
• Color: Rich red / copper
• Smell: Floral and smoky

Imperial Keemun Tea Profile

• Before Brewing: Black and smooth, leaf is hard
• After Brewing: Leaf becomes soft and bright

About AiryTea Imperial Keemun Tea Package

• Tea Type: Imperial Keemun Tea
• Weight: 70g
• Shelf Life: 18 months

• Tea Storage Recommendation: Store it in a cool and dry place away from sunlight.

Imperial Keemun Tea History

The fascinating histories and stories behind the tea we drink make it even more special and alluring. Keemun tea is no different. Although its history is quite short compared to other teas, it is interesting nevertheless. The story goes that is that Qimen tea was first produced in 1875. A government official named Yu Ganchen visited the Chinese Fujian province with the intentions of learning how to make the best black tea from the local farmers. His province of Anhui produced only green tea and Ganchen wanted to change that. He used all of the processing techniques that he learned from visiting the famous Fujian province to make the first black tea in Anhui.

The tea he managed to produce was very successful and different from other black teas, so the people from Qimen county picked up on it and didn’t stop making it ever since. This amazing discovery of Yu Ganchen made possible for China to be even more competitive against Indian black tea since it was the first Chinese tea ever to be exported. Soon after, Keemun tea spread all around the world and also ended up as the main ingredient of the famous English Breakfast tea.

How is Keemun Tea Made?

The way a tea is produced is what differentiates it regarding flavor, aroma, and color. The production of Keemun tea is quite specific and very labor intensive. Just like wine, the region in which the tea leaves are grown makes a big difference in the final outcome. The Anhui province, where Qimen county is situated, is covered by forests. Low temperatures and high humidity make it the perfect area for growing tea plants. The leaves are harvested yearly, in spring and summer and only young buds with a couple of leaves on them are picked. After that, all of the tea leaves are carefully inspected and only the highest quality leaves are selected. Next comes the withering process where the leaves need to be dried and removed of any moisture.

That makes them easier to handle and keep them whole. After withering, all of the leaves are rolled which enables all the flavor from the tea to come out. The final stage is fermentation and this is where the leaves change their color from green to black because they are fully oxidized. After this meticulous process, Keemun tea is finally ready to be packaged and shipped all around the globe.

Features of Imperial Keemun Tea

Its history and production process are what make Keemun tea taste as good as it does. It has a much lighter flavor than other black teas with malty taste. When you smell it, you will recognize the classic black tea aroma with an addition of orchid fragrance. If you are a fan of black tea, Keemun is the one to try and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by this delicious brew. If you find English Breakfast tea too ordinary, Keemun is the perfect replacement for a morning tea because it’s actually a part of the Breakfast blend.

Like other black teas, you can drink it with or without milk, both taste exceptional. Since Keemun contains some caffeine, it is a great morning beverage for people who don’t drink coffee or want to quit it. When buying any tea, including Imperial Keemun, we advise you to go organic. Drinking non-organic tea can have bad health consequences and it is inferior in flavor. You can rest assured that all AiryTea teas are 100% organic and natural.

Imperial Keemun Tea Health Benefits

We all know that all black teas are very good for one’s health and Keemun is no exception. You will be thrilled to know that this Chinese tea is perfect for weight loss. It has a great ability to reduce hunger and help create muscles. Of course, you should combine drinking this beverage with some exercise to get the best results. Keemun also relieves constipation and improves your digestive system. For that reason, it is a great beverage to drink after a meal. If you’re feeling fatigued or weak, that probably means that your immune system is not functioning properly. By introducing Keemun tea to your diet, you can strengthen your immune system and protect yourself against many illnesses.

You will also feel an energy boost that enables you to be more productive and alert. There are some studies that suggest that Keemun tea is a great prevention for different types of cancer like ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, and skin cancer. Keemun tea is also great for relaxation, stress-relief, and improving one’s mood. In general, Keemun is an exceptional herbal medicine that should be consumed at least once a day. If you are someone who prefers natural and organic beverages, you will love this tea. Not only are its flavor and fragrance completely captivating and unique, the positive effects it has on one’s body are truly amazing.

How To Brew Black Tea?

How do you make the best tasting tea?

- Bring water to near boiling point, around 190 – 210* F (87 – 98* Celsius). Doing so will release all the right flavors without making the tea too bitter.

- Pour the water into a cup or tea pot. Add 2 to 3 grams of tea leaves per 6 ounces of water. Add more if you enjoy drinking really strong tea.

- After you have heated the water and added the tea leaves, let it sit in the cup / tea pot for 60 seconds, then taste every 30 seconds until you find your perfect brewing point.

- If you want stronger tea, add more leaves instead of letting them sit there for a longer period of time, this will ensure that the tea is not too bitter.

- Add a slice of lemon if needed.

Black Tea Shipping Times

We are proud to offer two great shipping methods that will suit everyone’s needs.

Flat Rate Shipping

- Great for people who are not in a hurry and want to save on even more for black tea. This method will take around 10 to 30 days to arrive.

Express Shipping

- For everyone who wants to try our black tea as soon as possible, pick this method and get your tea in just 1 to 5 business days.

Please note: this excludes handling time, which is usually less than 24 hours. However, if there are certain situations beyond our control (such as the post office being closed) it may take up to 72 hours for your package to be shipped.

Return Policy

If you have changed your mind regarding the tea, you can return the unopened package to us and we will be more than happy to give you a refund. Please contact us (with your order number) to proceed with the request.