Honey Jin Jun Mei
First invented in 2005, Jin Jun Mei was originally created as a close alternative for Chinese who couldn't appreciate the flavor of the robust smoked Lapsang Souchong black tea that Westerners tend to enjoy. Jin Jun Mei debuted the same year as the unsmoked version of Lapsang Souchong. The main difference between them is that Jin Jun Mei is made exclusively of the buds, whereas unsmoked Lapsang Souchong uses two leaves to one bud.
The translation of this tea into English may be confusing - "Golden Steed Eyebrow" - but there's nothing confusing about the taste! Deep chocolate notes lead to a full-bodied tea that's almost thick like honey, leaving a sweet aftertaste.
Origin: Wuyi Mountain, China
Notes: Honey, Chocolate, Malt
| 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.