Honey Jinjunmei
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
| Country | Type of tea | Rinse | Water Temp | 1st steep | 2nd steep | 3rd steep |
| China | Green | No | 190ºF / 88ºC | 15 sec | 10 sec | 20 sec |
| China | Aged white | Yes | 205ºF / 96ºC |
1 min |
15 sec |
25 sec |
| China | Classic white | No | 175ºF / 80ºC | 30 sec | 15 sec |
30 sec |
| China | Twisted oolong | No | 205ºF / 96ºC | 30 sec | 15 sec | 20 sec |
| China | Rolled oolong | No | 205ºF / 96ºC | 45 sec | 15 sec | 20 sec |
| China | Small leaves black | No | 205ºF / 96ºC | 15 sec | 25 sec | 35 sec |
| China | Big leaves black | No | 205ºF / 96ºC | 45 sec | 15 sec | 30 sec |
| China | Shou puerh | Yes | 205ºF / 96ºC | 30 sec | 15 sec | 30 sec |
| China | Heicha | Yes | 205ºF / 96ºC | 30 sec | 15 sec | 30 sec |
| China | Sheng puerh | Yes |
190ºF / 88ºC |
30 sec |
20 sec |
30 sec |
| China | Sheng puerh | Yes | 205ºF / 96ºC | 15 sec | 10 sec | 15 sec |
I was confident when I got the aroma to open the package for the first time. And it was true. Honey Jin Jun Mei just blew my mind. The color was gorgeous, sweet and strong aroma brought me back to my childhood memory with nostalgia. Some people may think it's chocolate but it was "Ishiyakiimo (sweet potatoes roasted on hot pebbles)" to me. I enjoyed it over and over like 8 brews, could be 10! It's never got bitter. I felt so good and relaxed with it.