TeaChat

The best Keemuns I've ever had were back in the laste 90s. They were small-leaf teas that brewed up pretty strong, with pronounced chocolatey/orchid/wine notes and not just biscuity roasty. The Keemun "Mao Feng" larger leaf style seems more popular and appears to command higher prices, but I have yet to taste one that impresses. Anyone have any recommendations?

I can't help you Brian but want to thank you.
I have a memory of being served Keemun in the 1970s that I liked a lot. I have tried it several times since (including some expensive stuff) & have been disappointed.
I had decided that somehow what I remembered was wrong. I guess there was once good Keemun.

Here - only here.

FiveStarTea

I am surprised to hear you say that the Mao Feng commands higher prices--I was under the impression that the Hao Ya was a finer leaf grade, being composed of tips. You should get more fruity notes in the Hao Ya. I do tend to prefer the Mao Feng, though.

I think Evan is right that hao ya is more expensive than mao feng. But I think the other guys are talking about the "traditional" keemun, which has chopped leaves. Both hao yao and mao feng are sort of new trends. But keenum itself is younger than one century anyway.
I myself like mao feng the best. But the mao feng black tea I like tastes more "chocolaty" than flora. I think I could feel for you guys who like traditional keemun better. Nowadays the higher end black teas tend to be rather floral, which may feed people's pursuit for aroma. But the black teas I like best have deeper tone aroma and taste.

The dry leaves from the Hao Ya grades are very small and probably the darkest tea leaves I've seen. Some of the better samples I've tasted had leaves with a bluish "sheen" to them. I think they are cut leaves, there aren't any golden tips or fur at all.

Price-wise, I agree that Hao Ya > Mao Feng > standard grades. That being said, I've had Hao Ya that was not good at all. Pre-packed tins from asian markets or eBay typically have no aroma or flavor. These sorts of tea are usually pretty old, but Keemun is supposed to age well from everything I've read.

Chado: I took your advice and ordered Keemun from FiveStar. Once I get it, I'll post a mini-review here.

I noticed today teaspring also has a new nice little selection of 3 organic keemuns in Tins. Might be worth a try.
http://www.teaspring.com/1985-Series-Ke ... ck-Tea.asp

jingteashop gift grade keemun is good too, also organic
http://www.jingteashop.com/pd-jing-tea- ... emn-gg.cfm

Keemun is turning into another Dong Ding ... another Long Jing ...

Keemun used to be from Qi Men in An Hui Province, but today it may be from anywhere it seems ... perhaps denoting Keemun style versus origin.

So, if you want Keemun from Qi Men, I guess make sure.

Unfortunately I have no means of comparison as I was not even born in the 70's but non the less, Keemun is one of my favourite black teas and the best that I have tasted is Teavivre's Organic Superfine Keemun.

http://www.teavivre.com/keemun-fragrant-black-tea/

It's robust and clean with the perfect balance of flavours.

i second Teavivre's Keemun. I usually buy the tea per kilo

http://www.rishi-tea.com/product/keemun ... l-reserves

The above may be what you're seeking.

This is the only one I've had:

http://teahong.com/black-teas/7002-blac ... st-gt.html

I enjoyed it. They recently added another to the lineup, so maybe I'll try that one next, or some of the ones linked above.

M.

If you want the very best Keemun, at $24 an ounce look no further:

https://www.itoen.com/loose-leaf-tea/ch ... -dawn.html

When I first tried this in 2006 I was skeptical, it was $36/oz that year, and at a price that ridiculous I simply had to see for myself. Amazingly it's justified, an exquisite taste, delicate, perfectly balanced, notes of chocolate and fruit... I can't recommend it highly enough.

I have had Keemun Panda #1 and I enjoyed this black tea with milk.

ClarG wrote:Keemun Panda #1

A Metropolitan product if I recall correctly. Ridiculous, there aren't any panda in Anhui! Or will you become fat, slow, and hairy if you drink it?