Keemun Black Tea (祁门红茶)
Qimen County, Anhui Province — developed 1875
China's most celebrated black tea (called 'red tea' in Chinese — hong cha — for the red liquor colour), from Qimen County in Anhui Province. Keemun has a distinctive 'orchid honey' fragrance unlike any other black tea — known as the 'Burgundy of black teas' for its complexity. It is one of the world's ten greatest teas and the secret ingredient in many English Breakfast blends. The finest grade, Keemun Hao Ya, is rolled into tight curly leaves.