About this product
Jin Jun Mei (金骏眉) is the most prestigious Chinese black tea, created in Wuyi in 2005 using only the tender unopened buds of wild Wuyi mountain tea harvested in spring. Each kilogram requires approximately 50,000–80,000 hand-picked buds — a labour that explains its position at the apex of Chinese black tea pricing. The result is entirely unlike Assam or Darjeeling: no astringency, no bitterness, and a natural sweetness reminiscent of sweet potato, honey, and floral notes. Wuyi Xingcun holds authentic Tongmuguan origin, distinguishing it from the many imitations produced across China.
Pairing intelligence
complement
casual
Jin Jun Mei's golden honeyed sweetness bridges the osmanthus mooncake; both are China's most precious tea-ceremony offerings
classic
casual
complement
rice
Jin Jun Mei's warming sweetness complements the clean rice congee; a morning pairing in Fujian tea culture
classic
starter
complement
food
Jin Jun Mei's warming golden character bridges the lotus cake's delicate sweetness; a Fujian pastry pairing
classic
dessert
complement
pastry
Jin Jun Mei's natural honey-chrysanthemum character and honey-chrysanthemum financier: self-referential pairing of extraordinary coherence
classic
dessert
bridge
savoury
Jin Jun Mei bridges the savoury egg custard and pork; both reward gentle steaming treatment and clean flavours
established
starter
complement
chocolate
Jin Jun Mei's honey character and white chocolate's dairy-honey: one of the most naturally sympathetic tea-chocolate pairings
established
dessert
contrast
cheese
Jin Jun Mei's sweetness and chèvre's light lactic acid: a refined and quiet contrast
adventurous
cheese
complement
pastry
The floral honey note of Jin Jun Mei meets jasmine cream in a French-Chinese cross-cultural pairing of delicacy
adventurous
dessert