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Introduction
Created in 1875 in Qimen County, Anhui, Keemun black tea has journeyed from the mist-laden slopes of Huangshan, down the Chang River into Poyang Lake, and out through Shanghai to the world stage—earning the crown of “Queen of Chinese Black Tea.” In 1915 it captured the Gold Medal at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco, a prize that etched “Qi-men Red Tea” into Western taste memory. Its signature bouquet of flowers, fruit and honey—the famed Keemun aroma—still evokes homesickness for overseas Chinese and enchants tea lovers everywhere.
1 • Origin & Terroir
- Latitude 29.5–30.5 ° N—China’s golden tea belt on the misty southern flank of the Yellow Mountains.
- Selenium-rich red soil & primeval forests—large day-night temperature swings boost aromatic compounds.
- Historic shipping route: the Chang River linked Qimen to Poyang Lake and Shanghai, letting Huizhou merchants export “Qi-hong” around the globe.
- International laurels: the 1915 Panama Gold Medal cemented Keemun’s status as a world-class black tea.
2 • The Keemun Aroma
Ebony, tightly rolled strips brew a brilliant ruby liquor. Orchid and rose glide into stewed fruit, finishing with lingering honeyed sweetness. This Keemun aroma—both refined and comforting—captivated the Panama Expo judges and secured the gold.
3 • Queen Elizabeth II and Her Royal Keemun Moments
The tradition of afternoon tea has long been cherished in the United Kingdom, and Keemun black tea has been regarded as a prized treasure by the British for generations. It has earned the favor of many members of the royal family. As early as 1892, the term “Keemun Black Tea” was included in the Oxford English Dictionary, where it remains to this day.
3.1 Morning Ritual
At 7:30 a.m. in Buckingham Palace a silver tray delivered a teapot, bone-china cup, a splash of warm milk and two biscuits. The Queen often chose Keemun for its gentle floral-honey notes, milder than Assam.
3.2 The 4 p.m. Institution
A silver Keemun pot accompanied the three-tier stand of scones, petits fours and sandwiches—an unbroken custom at 4 p.m. Garden parties, Royal Ascot and the Royal Train all served Keemun first.
3.3 Platinum Jubilee Cameo
In the 2022 Platinum Jubilee short film with Paddington Bear, the Queen quipped, “Would you like a cup of tea?”—a wink to seven decades of devotion.
3.4 1986 State Visit to China
At the Shanghai state banquet, a Special-Grade Keemun was presented; Her Majesty pronounced it “Exquisite!” Back in London, the Royal Household kept “Qimen Black Tea, Special Grade” on its standing order—supplied in turn by Fortnum & Mason and Twinings.
During her 1986 visit to China, Queen Elizabeth II expressed to Jiang Zemin her wish to visit Qimen to purchase her beloved Keemun tea. Although the Queen was ultimately unable to make the trip, Keemun black tea was presented to her as a national gift.
3.5 A Century of Royal Warrants
Fortnum & Mason began importing Keemun in 1902 and gained a Royal Warrant in 1920. Today Keemun remains central to its famed “Royal Blend,” proof of enduring palace pedigree.
Bottom line: From dawn’s first cup to Platinum Jubilee celebrations, Keemun bridges British royalty and Chinese heritage.
British Afternoon Tea
4 • Writers & Poets: Tea as Muse
Lao She
Calling tea “an art,” the novelist toured Tunxi factory in 1964, sipped Keemun in summer heat and penned “Ode to Tea”:
In springtime breezes new leaves are plucked,
Renowned is Anhui across the land;
Tun-green and Qi-red, dear twin teas—
Unadorned beauty, flawless and grand.
Hu Shi
While living in the United States, Hu Shi repeatedly wrote home: “Please send more Qimen black tea.” A 1940 letter records two crates—ninety jars—arriving safely. Each cup was a sip of homeland and an elegant calling card to American friends.
5 • Political Icons: The Diplomatic “National Gift Tea”
Year | Figure | Keemun Story |
1949 | Joseph Stalin | Mao Zedong sent 20 kg of top-grade Keemun for Stalin’s 70th birthday; the chest is displayed in Moscow’s history museum. |
1957 – 1991 | Mao Zedong & Jiang Zemin | Every Soviet visit featured Keemun gifts, once up to two metric tons. |
1979 | Deng Xiaoping | Touring Huangshan: “Keemun is world-famous—package it beautifully for tourists to take home.” |
1986 | Queen Elizabeth II | Praised Shanghai banquet Keemun as “Exquisite!” |
Early 1900s | Roosevelt Family | Eleanor Roosevelt’s relatives ran a Shanghai tea firm exporting Keemun; the family remains fond of it today. |
6 • Why Choose Keemun Today?
- Global laurels: First Chinese black tea to win the Panama-Pacific Gold Medal (1915); Great Taste 3-Star (2024).
- Health perks: ≥15 % polyphenols for antioxidant power; l-theanine for calm focus.
7 • Brewing & Pairing
Gear | Leaf/Water | Temp | Time | Experience |
Gaiwan | 5 g / 110 ml | 90 °C | 45 s → 30 s → 60 s | Full aroma layers |
English pot | 3 g / 500 ml | 95 °C | 3 min | Add warm milk for royal style |
Cold brew | 8 g / 1 l | 4 °C | 6 h | Sugar-free summer refresh |
Ideal matches: scones, Earl Grey chiffon, 72 % dark chocolate, mild goat cheese.
8 • FAQ
- How is Keemun different from Lapsang Souchong?
Keemun is floral-honey and unsmoked; traditional Lapsang is pine-smoked. - Can I add milk?
Certainly—warm milk keeps the liquor bright and the aroma intact. - Shelf life?
Vacuum- or nitrogen-sealed: 36 months unopened; best within six months after opening.
Tianzhi Hong is a renowned Chinese tea brand committed to reviving and promoting Qimen black tea culture. Recognized for its exceptional quality, the brand has represented China in international diplomacy—offered as a national gift to leaders in Poland, Thailand, and beyond. As a vice president unit of the China Tea Marketing Association, Tianzhi Hong blends tradition with innovation, led by master tea artisans and industry pioneers. From the Panama Expo gold medal legacy to today’s global stage, Tianzhi Hong stands as a proud ambassador of Chinese black tea.
Click the link below to discover more about Keemun Black Tea designed by Tianzhihong.
Don’t forget to take the special coupon for you while checking out.
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This artical was adapted by CHAT GPT 4o.