Jin Jun Mei (金駿眉)

archetype: Golden phoenix

A golden phoenix falls into the cup as a drop of honey: a refined regal sweetness, a honey dew, a touch of raisin.

History

Jin Jun Mei is the youngest of the great teas: it was created in 2005 by the masters of Tongmuguan village (Fujian) in search of a 'new face' for red tea. The raw material is exclusively the buds of the same 'zheng shan' bushes that go into lapsang; the fermentation is the same, but without smoking. About 50,000 hand-picked buds, gathered in spring, go into a single kilo of finished tea. Within a few years it became one of the most expensive teas of China.

'Jin' is gold, 'jun' is a noble horse, 'mei' is brow: 'the golden brow of the noble horse'. It is believed that the bushes of this tea grow where the foot of the phoenixes that flew in from the southern sky first stepped. The leaf of every bush is gathered separately: to mix the harvest of different slopes would be to lose the 'regal voice' of the mountain.

Terroir

1200–1800 m — the highest belt of the valley. weathered granite enriched with pine litter. heavy fogs, brief sun, cool nights; the buds grow slowly — hence the density of sugars and essential oils. The canonical Jin Jun Mei is only from Tongmuguan. All other 'versions' (outside the reserve) give a similar profile but do not reach the 'regal' trail.

Leaf

dry leaf: thin golden-black twisted needles with a noticeable golden down; in the hand light, fragrant, smelling of acacia honey and sweet raisin

warmed: the warmed bud — a high acacia honey, ripe apricot, warm silk, a thin vanilla trail

after pour: after the infusion — honey, vanilla, raisin, a note of white rose, a warm amber air

taste: acacia honey, ripe apricot, raisin, vanilla, a long sweet silk; the finish — a honey dew in the throat

finish: very long, leaving a 'golden trail' in the throat — a warm honeyed sweetness lasting 20–30 minutes

Properties

TCM: warm by nature, yang, but soft; warms gently, does not raise the fire, nourishes blood and heart, supports the 'shen' (spirit)

Modern: rich in theaflavins and natural sugars; gentle stimulation, good for mood and focus without strain; considered one of the most 'nerve-friendly' reds

Cha qi: thin, warm, dispersing across the upper chest and face; felt as a light joy

Caffeine: medium (40–55 mg)

Brewing ritual

a thin 110 ml gaiwan — a high aroma needs thin porcelain; 92 °C; 5 g / 110 ml. 8s — the first drop: acacia honey, apricot; 10s — the peak: raisin, vanilla, warm silk; 12s — a regal depth, a long sweet trail; 18s — a thin honey note; 30s — the finale — a golden echo.

When to drink

morning or late day — when one wants joy, not excitement. autumn and winter — especially when it is dark and there is little sun. when one wants to lift the mood gently, mark a good day, give warmth to a loved one. acacia honey, ripe apricots, madeleines, dark chocolate with fruit, light cheeses. ideal for two over an unhurried conversation; good as a gift without occasion

Tea meditation

The refined asks for attention, not loudness.
Each sip is a bow to the phoenix.
Don't hurry the sweetness. It is regal.

Questions and answers

How do you brew Jin Jun Mei?

What does Jin Jun Mei taste like?

acacia honey, ripe apricot, raisin, vanilla, a long sweet silk; the finish — a honey dew in the throat

How much caffeine is in Jin Jun Mei?

medium (40–55 mg)

What are the effects of Jin Jun Mei?

rich in theaflavins and natural sugars; gentle stimulation, good for mood and focus without strain; considered one of the most 'nerve-friendly' reds