The creation of Jin Jun Mei in 2005 was both a close alternative and an introduction to the pine-wood smoked version of Lapsang Souchong for those who couldn't appreciate its robust smokey flavor and aroma.

Jin Jun Mei and unsmoked Lapsang Souchong debuted in the same year, yet they are different. Jin Jun Mei is made with buds exclusively while unsmoked Lapsang uses two leaves to one bud.

The English translation of this tea may be a bit confusing - "Golden Steed Eyebrow" - but there's nothing confusing about the taste! Deep chocolate notes lead to a full-bodied tea that almost tastes thick and sweet, leaving behind an aftertaste.

Gongfu Brewing Instructions:

To maximize the flavor of this wonderful black tea, steep 4g of tea leaves in a 100ml teapot/gaiwan for 40 seconds on the first infusion with boiling water. Drop to 20 seconds on the second infusion until it's time to enjoy your third around at 60 seconds.

Origin: Wuyi Mountain, China

Harvest: 2021 Spring

Notes: Honey, Fresh Baked Cookies, Vanilla, Milk Chocolate

The most popular of our entire black tea collection. This is not the typical, pinewood-smoked Lapsang Souchong that enjoys such popularity. You can brew this tea at a lower temperature and get a nice, clean, and fruity black tea. Or you can brew this tea stronger and get such a rich flavor that it's almost like biting into 80% dark chocolate. Great iced or hot, with or without milk. Mild in flavor, compared to most black teas from India. 

Origin: Wu Yi Mountain, Fujian, China

Notes: Cocoa, Malt, Honey

This tea is picked from an old tea bush, approximately 120 years old. Because it grows wildly, there are no pesticides or any chemicals needed. The varietal of this tea itself is called Xiao Zhong, which means a small bush --  most commonly used for the famous smoky black tea: Lapsang Souchong. Because this tea is picked from an old bush, this tea is actually called Lao Cong Xiao Zhong or Old Bush Small Varietal.  

One of the benefits of brewing large tea leaves from an old tea bush is how easy it is to brew the tea. Unlike most Indian black tea where it gets bitter, especially when you are not paying attention to your brewing temperature and time. This black tea never gets bitter. It has a relaxing, floral, and smooth flavor without ever reaching to the point of that sharp tannin, unpleasant and bitter black tea as you normally expected when being brewed too long. If you like to add sugar or cream to your tea, this is not the right tea to do that. This is the tea you want to savor and enjoy slowly with special friends that can appreciate a good cup of tea. 

Tea Bush Age: 120 years old

Varietal: Xiao Zhong

When you think of a good, everyday black tea from China nothing beats this Golden Monkey. Each leaf is hand-picked during the early spring season and carefully picked only one bud; giving it hints of spice notes with smooth creamy sweet cocoa flavors that are rich like malt balls in your mouth! They’re so soft too – as if they were coated softly by warm chocolate sauce? This delicate brew has just enough kick to make sure we know where our caffeine comes from without tasting bitter.

This black tea is mild and smooth, with a deep chocolate sweetness that builds up from the depth of each sip. If you’re a black tea drinker this is one black tea that is sure to become your next favorite black tea.

Origin: Fujian, China

Notes: Cocoa, Malt, Roasted Apple

When choosing a high-quality Dian Hong black tea, it is important to look at how much of the golden-tip is in the leaves. The more golden color, the higher the grade usually is. This Dian Hong black tea is from a larger leaf variety, manually hand-picked and processed using the traditional techniques of Mr. Zhou's family farm in Yunnan. You can immediately notice the caramel, sweet potato-like aroma when you brew this tea. The feeling in your mouth is very smooth, complex and balanced. Hints of a spice match well with the robust and malty undertone of the tea. Definitely one of the best Chinese black teas we have in our black tea collection.

Alternate Name: Yunnan Black

Origin: Yunnan, China

Notes: Malt, Sweet Potato, Honey

The leaf is plucked by the villagers of Tongmu and carefully smoked before it is fully dried. The more premium Lapsang Souchongs like this one is not too smokey and has a sweet delicate undertone. Before sipping this tea, try inhaling the delicious aroma of its smoky fragrance. The Chinese themselves rarely drink this tea; rather, it is manufactured solely for Westerners.

Our Lapsang Souchong is a Fujian version and is milder and softer than most other Lapsang Souchong in the market. And because it came from an old bush the leaves are much larger as well.

This tea is not for everyone. Just like licorice and cilantro, either you love it or you hate it. We do notice that many cigar smokers and whiskey drinkers absolutely love this tea. Its strong smoky flavor also goes very nicely with hot and spicy food, especially by a campfire.

Alternate Name: Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong

Origin: Tongmu Village, Wuyi Shan, Fujian, China 

Harvest: Spring 2020

Notes: Smokey, Cloves, Pepper

If you like black tea that tastes like chocolate, this tea will remind you of milk chocolate. If you had our Golden Monkey or Wild Lapsang Souchong black tea, this tea is similar to that tea. This one is like drinking a bar of milk chocolate. The aftertaste is roasty and malty. Very smooth and relaxing. The perfect tea to drink with sweet desserts after a meal. 

This tea consists of only the tea buds and roasted with charcoal for over twenty hours in a charcoal roasting room.  

Notes: Milk Chocolate, Malty, Chocolate Smores

Origin: Tongmu Guan, Fujian, China

First invented in 2005, this Jin Jun Mei was initially invented for the tea lovers that don't like the smoky flavor of a Lapsang Souchong. It was invented together with the nonsmoked version of Lapsang Souchong. The main difference is Jin Jun Mei is using only buds, where the Lapsang Souchong is using one bud and two leaves. 

It took 20,000 tea buds to make a pound of this tea. Each bud is selected carefully before being put into production. 

The flavor is slightly floral and vegetal. The aftertaste is soft and malty. The mouthfeel is sweet and refreshing. 

Notes: Soft, Wildflower, Caramel, Malty, Balance

Origin: Tongmu Guan, Fujian, China

When drinking black tea, you don't normally associate its flavor profile with anything like "sweet caramel." But that's exactly what you get from this tea.

Using boiling water will bring out the most flavor from this tea. You should expect a sweet caramel, some smokiness, and a little maltiness when it's brewed properly. You should be able to get at least four good brews with this black tea, which is amazing since most black teas are only good for three brews.

If you have a sweet tooth and don't want to have the guilt of taking sugar in your tea, then this tea is the perfect tea for you!  

At the first sip, you immediately detect a caramel-candy taste with a hint of smokiness. There is a fresh feeling in the aftertaste. The color of the liquor is clear with vibrant caramel color. The aroma of the tea is sweet, soothing, and comforting. When you first sip this tea, you'll enjoy a satisfying treat, almost like drinking a hot caramel latte.

This tea is great to have all day. It's great as a morning pick-me-up tea, but also nice as a relaxing after dinner tea. The natural sweetness is an enticement for crowds who don't much appreciate the flavor of a tea.

Origin: Tongmu Guan, Wuyi Mountain

Notes: Caramel Candy

Origin: Tongmu Guan, Wuyi Mountain

Notes: Wildflower Honey,

This Chinese Black Tea sample pack includes:

10g (1/3 oz) Honey Jinjunmei Black Tea

10g (1/3 oz) Yunnan Golden-tip Dian Hong Black Tea

10g (1/3 oz) Golden Monkey Black Tea

10g (1/3 oz) Tongmu Unsmoked Lapsang Souchong Black Tea

10g (1/3 oz) 2021 80-year Old Bush Black Tea

Origin: Tongmu Guan, Wuyi Mountain

Notes: Citrus, Lemon, Honey