Black tea Grand Keemun F.O.P

The Mastered Magic of Grand Keemun
This tea is not born of chance: it embodies the convergence of artisanal rigor and nature's inspiration. It all begins in the gentle mists of Qimen, where the choice of the "Zhuye" cultivar, rich in polyphenols, shapes the coppery color and aromatic complexity of the future Keemun. The freshly picked leaves begin their journey with a slow and steady withering, which softens their texture and amplifies a whole range of notes (orchid, cocoa, honey).

Next comes the rolling, a stage entirely done by hand for the best vintages: the maestros twist each leaf, breaking cell walls and revealing essential oils that will give the liquor its uniqueness. Here, mastery is not just technical: it is a sensitive know-how, where the applied pressure, time, and temperature are adjusted to the tea master's feel.

Oxidation, a key moment, is guarded like a treasure: just a few hours are enough to transform the color and aromatic complexity of Grand Keemun. It is at this stage that the alchemy operates, giving birth to "Qimen Hong": an enchanting scent of orchid, smoked wood, and candied fruits. Finally, the firing takes place over a gentle heat, often charcoal, to seal this aromatic palette without astringency.

Beyond science and method, it is the producer's intuition that makes the leaf vibrate and transmits its extra soul to it. The higher grades are sorted one last time, to retain only the fine, whole leaves, guarantees of a long and silky cup.

In the case of our Grand Keemun, the F.O.P. (Flowery Orange Pekoe) grade means that the tea is composed mainly of delicate young buds and the two youngest leaves, guaranteeing careful and refined plucking. This classification, initially reserved for the great Darjeeling vintages, applies here to an exceptional Chinese vintage to highlight the fineness of the plucking and the richness of the golden tips present in the leaf.

Why succumb to Keemun?
Grand Keemun is one of the ten great ambassador teas of China in the world. We are proud to offer it in our collection: it fully embodies the ancestral know-how of Chinese masters, heirs to a precious and almost secret production tradition.

These "ambassador teas" are iconic vintages that reflect the richness, diversity, and excellence of China's tea heritage. Selected from among the most illustrious, such as Grand Keemun, Longjing, Tieguanyin, or Pu-erh, they represent China on the international stage: true flag-bearers, they combine millennia of history, unique terroirs, and know-how passed down from generation to generation, becoming living messengers of the art and tradition of tea around the world.

Food and Tea Pairings
Have you ever tried a tea and chocolate pairing? To enhance our Grand Keemun, pair it with a square of Ecuador 70% dark chocolate: the woody and slightly floral depth of the tea embraces the cocoa power, almost roasted, of the chocolate. In the mouth, the notes of dried fruits, leather, and honey of the Keemun merge with the intense, almost licorice-like aromas of the cocoa. This gourmet duo unfurls a silky texture and a bouquet of chocolate emotions, irresistible for any epicurean.

Recipe using Grand Keemun Chinese black tea
For a dessert with distinguished notes, infuse a few Grand Keemun leaves in simmering milk, then make a silky crème anglaise with this tea-infused milk, egg yolks, vanilla sugar, and a few grams of tonka beans. The Keemun then distills its notes of cocoa, wood, and fruit into the cream, which then coats a still-warm 70% dark chocolate fondant. The magic happens: the depth of the tea enhances the melt-in-your-mouth quality of the cake, offering an intense and slightly floral flavor, balancing elegance and indulgence.