The Queen’s favorite tea and the most favorite of all Chinese teas. Complex and subtle. Excellent full bodied winey character with oaky notes. Bright and golden coppery.
Ingredients:
Anhui Province, China Hoa Ya A black tea
Information: (The Queen’s favourite tea)
Of all the China teas available Keemun is probably one of the best known. Keemun tea has a rich aroma and yields a full thick almost sappy beverage. Keemun tea originally was a common green tea until it was discovered that when allowed to ferment, the leaves produced a drink so fine that it has been termed the burgundy of China teas.
Traditionally Keemuns were known as the classic English Breakfast tea – the best (read Hoa Ya A) are on the Queen’s table. Perhaps this came about as some have described the taste and aroma of Keemun as reminiscent of toast hot from the oven. Keemun is one the best-keeping black teas. Fine specimens will keep for years if stored properly and take on a mellow winey character. Many tea connoisseurs claim that Keemun Hoa Ya A improves with age, taking on a deeper and more complex character.
Hoa Ya A is extremely rare. In Anhui Province perhaps 1200 kilos is made on an annual basis. The leaf used to product this tea is hand sorted even before it is fired; and then, sorted again! The result is a uniform wiry leaf, very dense and evenly sized. This tea is best enjoyed with milk. Milk gives the tea a mellow depth and accentuates the complexities of the flavour profile.
This is one of the world’s great teas.
Hot tea brewing method: Bring freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil. Place 1 teaspoon of tea for each cup into the teapot. Pour the boiling water into the teapot. Cover and let steep for 3–7 minutes according to taste (the longer the steeping time the stronger the tea). We recommend adding milk and sugar (if this is to your taste), but if you prefer your tea ‘straight-up’ it is equally acceptable and enjoyable.
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