Of all the Chinese black teas available, Keemun Panda #1 is probably one of the best known. Keemun is a congou type of tea, which means that it requires a lot of gongfu, (disciplined skill) to make thin strips without breaking the leaves. It is interesting to note that the characters used in the Chinese script for time and work are the same as those used for "gongfu".
Famous tea from Anhui province. The tightly rolled leaves produce a bright red color to the cup with a rich aroma of red wine and orchids.
Tea story
In the early 1800s, tea was so popular in England that there was a danger that the British treasury would be emptied because all the money was being used to pay the Chinese for tea. The Chinese didn't need textiles, one of Britain's main exports - so what to do? India and Burma were producing large amounts of opium and in due course China became an important market. The economic circle that evolved is as follows: Opium from India was sent to British merchants stationed in Canton, China. The Chinese paid in money and the merchants received credit against debts in England. This money was then used to pay the Chinese for tea. This practice led to wars between England and China - called the "Opium Wars". The last war was won by the British in 1860, which made opium a legal commodity in China until 1908, when it was finally banned.
Keemun black tea was not produced until after 1875 - against the Chinese practice of producing green teas. But the English palate was finely tuned to fine black tea and the virtually limitless trade with opium and tea. Keemun quickly became an English staple, albeit a particularly flavorful and full-bodied one. Perhaps this interest in keemun also arose because some described the taste and aroma of keemun as reminiscent of hot toast from the oven - another British tradition. Keemun is one of the best-keeping black teas. Good specimens will keep for years if stored properly and take on a mellow, winey character.
