Tea: Qimen Zongzi (祁门粽子茶) Type: Red Tea Harvest: April 2025 Region: Anhui Province, Qimen County, Pingli Township. Producer: Master Zheng Tasting Notes: Peanut, Cedar Bark, Barley, Vegetal.
This is another modern spin on Keemun from a younger producer. It is significantly thicker and creamier than the orange peel keemun. In this "dumpling," swirled keemun has been wrapped inside a mature summer leaf processed as a green tea. It is this external green tea leaf that adds a layer of vegetal thickness. When brewed all together, this balances out the sharp, TCM warmth of the keemun with soothing notes of cucumber and leafy vegetables. The compound flavor at times is reminiscent of green cedar bark, and unlike any red tea we have enjoyed before.
Weighing in around 7 grams, these dumplings could be brewed in a western teapot or enjoyed gongfu style. For faster tea pot brewing, you can remove the strings and unravel the external leaf. Alternatively, if you brew it gongfu style, you could leave the out wrapping on for a few infusions before unraveling it more intact. This a fun tea to play out with and is enjoyable either way.
For more on Master Zheng and Keemun, check out the blog below:
This is hands down my favorite tea in my pantry. I drink it almost daily. I love how savory and smooth the soup is while still maintaining its depth and thickness.
Did not know what to expect, but the chocolatey, earthy, roasty taste is exceptional. Very mellow, smooth, and relaxing-feeling. A wonderful first dive into yellow tea for me.
