If you’ve been on a quest to try new and interesting teas, the name Keemun probably crossed your path at some point. This delicious tea isn’t one you see in your typical tea or coffee shop, but you can purchase the leaves online from a tea shop.
Keemun tea is another Chinese tea that has a rich history. We have all the answers to your burning questions about Keemun tea, including how to brew a delicious cup.
Origins of Keemun Tea
Keemun tea is from the Anhui Province in China, specifically Qimen. Because the tea is from Qimen, it’s often called Qimen tea. Keemun is just the English spelling of the name and has been since the colonial era.
Unlike other Chinese teas, Keemun has a shorter history. It was produced in 1875, much more recently than Lapsang Souchong tea from the 1600s. A Chinese man traveled to the Fujian Province in China to learn all about the production of black tea since Anhui had only made green teas up until 1875.
His knowledge of black tea allowed him to produce the province’s first black tea, Keemun. Because it was the first black tea from this area, it grew in popularity very fast. Besides China, it was famous in England and is now included in many English Breakfast tea blends.
What Does Keemun Tea Taste Like?
Keemun tea has a unique flavor that you don’t find in many common teas anymore. It has a smoky flavor, but despite this intense flavor, the tea is very light-bodied. It has a malty and gentle taste that reminds us a little bit of unsweetened cocoa powder. While it has a smoky taste, the aroma is more floral and woodsy than smoky.
How To Make Keemun Tea Taste Better
Most people don’t like drinking black tea without adding something to it because the flavors can be pretty intense. If you’re someone who can’t stomach black tea without adding ingredients, these are the best things you can add to Keemun tea to make it taste better.
As you read through the optional things to add to the tea, feel free to experiment with flavor combinations to find the one you like the best.
Milk
Milk is one of the most popular ingredients to add to Keemun tea. The smoky flavor is perfect for adding milk to make it slightly more subtle. Most people opt for whole milk, but you can choose whatever kind you want that follows your tastebuds and dietary preferences.
Sugar or Other Sweeteners
Sugar is a great addition to most tea, especially tea that doesn’t naturally have a sweet flavor. Keemun tea benefits from sugar greatly. It’s even better when you accompany it with milk. You can use white sugar, Splenda, or Stevia. Regardless of your choice, a little bit goes a long way in Keemun tea.
How To Make Keemun Tea
It doesn’t take much to learn how to brew Keemun tea. Whether you’re an expert at brewing tea or you’ve never done it before, here’s a fool-proof way to brew Keemun tea.
Grab Your Ingredients
First things first, you need to grab everything you need to make the tea. This recipe makes one cup of tea, so be sure to change the measurements if you’re making the tea for more than just one person. What you’ll need includes:
- One to two teaspoons of Keemun tea leaves
- Eight ounces of water
- Milk, honey, or sugar (optional)
Heat the Water
You’ll want to pour the eight ounces of water into a pot over high heat. Be sure to heat the water but don’t let it get to a full boil, or the tea won’t taste correct.
Bring the water to a Simmer and Steep.
Once the water is simmering, you’ll add in the Keemun tea leaves or bags and let it steep. Most people steep the tea for two to five minutes, depending on the overall flavor you’re looking for. The less you steep it, the lighter the tea will be. The longer, the more robust the natural flavor will be.
Add in Your Other Ingredients
After steeping your tea, you can add anything else you want to into the tea. Whether it’s milk, sugar, honey, or something else, now is the time to stir it in, so it seamlessly blends with the tea. If you’re not adding anything, feel free to skip to the last step.
Serve
Once you combine all your ingredients into your tea, you’re ready to serve. Grab your favorite mugs and get ready to relax and enjoy your Keemun tea.
Caffeine Content in Keemun Tea
For those looking to replace their morning cup of coffee with something more natural but still give them energy, Keenum tea is a great option. For every eight ounces of Keenum tea, there’s roughly 45 mg of caffeine.
This minimal amount of caffeine is perfect for those who are sensitive to caffeine or need just a little bit more to get them through that afternoon slump.
Carbohydrate Content of Keemun Tea
There aren’t any carbs in Keemun tea. Some brands might have around one gram, but generally, there are no carbs in Keenum tea. Now, if you add milk, sugar, or something else to improve the taste of the tea, then the carb content will increase.
Calories in Keemun Tea
When you prepare Keemun tea with only water, there will be zero calories in the beverage. Since not everyone enjoys this tea with only water, the calories come from all the add-ins you choose. The more sugar, honey, or milk you add, the more calories you’ll add to the tea.
Final Thoughts
Keenum is the first black tea to come from the Anhui Province in China and has a distinct flavor profile. It has smoky notes and a floral smell and tastes best when paired with milk and sugar. Next time you’re shopping for a new tea to have in your collection, Keenum should be on your shopping list.
