{"product_id":"smoked-traditional-organic-gongjian-heicha","title":"Smoked Traditional Organic Gongjian Heicha","description":"\u003cp\u003eSmoked Traditional Organic Gongjian Heicha is a traditional dark tea from \u003cstrong\u003eAnhua, Hunan\u003c\/strong\u003e—one of China’s most important and historic regions for fermented tea. This tea was discovered by Leo during his April 2026 tea trip to Anhua, where he selected it for its clean taste, traditional craftsmanship, gentle charcoal smoke, and deeply warming energy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis tea is made from \u003cstrong\u003eGongjian (贡尖)\u003c\/strong\u003e, one of the classic “Three Jian” styles of Anhua heicha, alongside Tianjian (天尖) and Shengjian (生尖). In Chinese, “贡” means tribute, while “尖” refers to selected young growth or pointed leaf tips. Historically, Gongjian was considered a refined grade of \u003cstrong\u003eAnhua dark tea\u003c\/strong\u003e, made with carefully selected raw material and processed for a smoother, cleaner, more elegant profile.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGongjian is not simply any loose heicha. It is traditionally categorized by the grade and picking standard of the raw dark tea material, known as black maocha. Tianjian is usually made from earlier and finer spring leaves, while \u003cstrong\u003eGongjian\u003c\/strong\u003e is commonly made from second-grade black maocha picked around \u003cstrong\u003eearly May\u003c\/strong\u003e, when the leaves have developed more strength, body, and depth. The typical picking standard is around one bud with four to five leaves. This gives Gongjian a beautiful balance: more body and warmth than very tender early-spring tea, but smoother and more refined than later, coarser heicha grades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter picking, the leaves are processed through traditional Anhua heicha methods. The fresh leaves are heated to stop oxidation, rolled to shape the leaves and release their inner juices, then pile-fermented to develop the mellow, grounding character that defines heicha. After fermentation, the tea is dried and aged, allowing the flavor to become smoother, deeper, and more integrated.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat makes this tea especially unique is its \u003cstrong\u003etraditional charcoal smoking\u003c\/strong\u003e. The leaves are gently smoked with charcoal, giving the tea a soft, warming aroma. The smoke is light and well integrated—\u003cstrong\u003enot sharp, pine-heavy\u003c\/strong\u003e, or intense like Lapsang Souchong. Instead, it blends naturally with the fermented character of the tea, adding warmth, woodiness, and depth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCompared with Tianjian, Gongjian usually feels fuller, warmer, and more grounded. Compared with Shengjian or many brick-style heicha, it is cleaner, smoother, and less coarse. It sits beautifully in the middle: refined enough for gongfu brewing, yet deep enough to show the comforting warmth that Anhua heicha is famous for.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis tea comes from a biodynamically grown garden at around 900 meters elevation. The environment is clean, the farming is natural, and the tea reflects both high mountain clarity and traditional Anhua fermentation. The result is a heicha that feels pure, grounding, and deeply comforting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis tea has a \u003cstrong\u003every warm qi\u003c\/strong\u003e. After drinking it, many people may feel a gentle heat spreading through the body, making it especially enjoyable in cooler weather, after a heavy meal, or anytime you want a tea that feels grounding and soothing. The cup is smooth and mellow, with \u003cstrong\u003elight charcoal smoke\u003c\/strong\u003e, warm wood, subtle date-like sweetness, dried herbs, and a clean fermented finish. \u003cstrong\u003eIt is warming\u003c\/strong\u003e without being heavy, smoky without being aggressive, and earthy without being musty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGongfu Brewing Instructions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUse 5g of tea in a 90ml gaiwan\u003cbr\u003eWater temperature: 205°F \/ 96°C\u003cbr\u003eRinse: Quick rinse, then discard\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1st infusion: 15–20 seconds\u003cbr\u003e2nd infusion: 10–15 seconds\u003cbr\u003e3rd infusion: 15–20 seconds\u003cbr\u003eAfter that, increase each steep by 5–10 seconds depending on your taste.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a deeper and warmer cup, use slightly longer steeps. This tea is very forgiving and can also be boiled for a stronger traditional-style brew without becoming harsh or overly bitter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e: Anhua, Hunan, China\u003cbr\u003eElevation: Around 900m\u003cbr\u003eTea Type: Heicha \/ Dark Tea\u003cbr\u003eChinese Name: 贡尖黑茶\u003cbr\u003eHarvest Standard: Around one bud with four to five leaves\u003cbr\u003eNotes: Light Charcoal Smoke, Warm Wood, Dates, Dried Herbs, Earthy Sweetness, Clean Fermentation\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tea and Whisk","offers":[{"title":"1 oz sample","offer_id":49177057263859,"sku":null,"price":16.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2 oz","offer_id":49177057296627,"sku":null,"price":31.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"3 oz","offer_id":49177057329395,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"4 oz","offer_id":49177057362163,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"6 oz","offer_id":49177057394931,"sku":null,"price":85.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"10 oz","offer_id":49177057427699,"sku":null,"price":140.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0268\/9486\/0322\/files\/smoked-traditional-organic-gongjian-heicha-2666135.jpg?v=1780386247","url":"https:\/\/teaandwhisk.com\/products\/smoked-traditional-organic-gongjian-heicha","provider":"Tea and Whisk","version":"1.0","type":"link"}