The saying "Red Tea Has a Queen" refers to Keemun Black Tea

YuanJia131

Keemun tea is not limited to just one form. Traditional Keemun Gongfu, after intricate and meticulous processing, features tightly twisted leaves with the most distinctive fragrance; Keemun Xiangluo is curled like a snail, with prominent golden tips and a prominent sweet floral aroma; Keemun Mao Feng boasts loosely twisted leaves, offering a fresh, mellow, and sweet taste. Though these three styles differ in characteristics, they all revolve around the core essence of "Keemun fragrance." A single small leaf is thus shaped by craftsmanship into countless charms.
Shortly after its debut, Keemun black tea was exported overseas via the Xin'an River, Yangtze River, and ports such as Shanghai and Hankou. In the international market, its English name was directly transliterated as "Keemun." The British royal family and high society soon became enamored with its uplifting aroma, earning it the title of "Queen of Black Tea." Interestingly, at the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition, Keemun black tea and China's national liquor both won gold medals, forming the most dazzling "Chinese duo" of that World Expo.

"The world's three most aromatic black teas—Keemun, Darjeeling, and Uva—remain pivotal benchmarks in the black tea evaluation system. Keemun's connection to Western dining is even deeper: British breakfast tea often blends Chinese black tea with Indian Assam, with Keemun contributing a mellow base and exquisite aroma; the world-famous Earl Grey tea, also based on Chinese black tea, blends bergamot, achieving a perfect harmony of Keemun's floral and fruity notes with citrus fragrance. In 2022, China's traditional tea-making techniques were inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list, with Keemun tea production being a vital component. Centuries of craftsmanship have thus transformed into heritage.".
Currently, the price range of Keemun black tea on the market varies significantly: high-quality Keemun black tea with abundant buds and golden tips can cost several hundred yuan per pound, while everyday affordable varieties are available for just tens of yuan per pound. Teas like Xiangluo and Maofeng have varying prices based on grade and origin. When purchasing tea, there's no need to blindly chase titles like "old tea trees" or "single-plantation." Focusing on Keemun's core production areas, Quzhong tea leaves as raw material, and reliable sources is more practical than relying on stories.