Lovely burgundy depth with light hints of an oak cask. A tea to serve during hectic or quiet times.
Luxury Ingredients: Black tea* *Organic Certified Organic by Pro-Cert Organic Systems (Organic Equivalency with COR, NOP, EU, JAS)
Small Batch Blended and Packed in: Canada
Tea(s) From: China
Region(s): Anhui Province
Antioxidant Level: Medium
Caffeine Content: Medium
Our loose leaf Organic Keemun Panda #1 Tea is packaged in a 500 gram Nitrogen Flushed & Vacuum Sealed Bulk Bag for added freshness.
About this Tea:
Of all the China black teas available Keemun Panda #1 is probably one of the best known. Keemun is one of the congou-type teas; meaning it requires a great deal of gongfu, (disciplined skill) to make into fine taut strips without breaking the leaves. Interestingly the characters in the written Chinese script for time and labor are the same as those used for 'gongfu'. It is often said that a properly produced Keemun such as Panda #1 is one of the finest teas in the world with a complex aromatic and penetrating character often compared to burgundy wines. Traditionally keemuns were used in English Breakfast tea.
Keemun black tea was only produced after 1875 - against the grain of the Chinese practice of producing green teas. The English palate was finely attuned to fine black tea and with virtually unrestricted trade with opium and tea, Keemun rapidly became an English staple, notwithstanding that keemuns were particularly flavorful and full bodied. This interest in Keemun also came about as some describe the taste and aroma of Keemun's as reminiscent of toast hot from the oven - another British tradition. Keemun is one the best-keeping black teas. Fine specimens will keep for years if stored properly and take on a mellow winey character.